Racism and anti-racism in medical education: a cross-sectional study of Finnish medical students' perspectives

Racism negatively impacts health, and it has both structural and interpersonal manifestations in medicine. In Finnish medical education, diversity, equity, and inclusion work is still in its infancy. This is the first study examining Finnish medical students' perspectives on racism and anti-racism during their studies.

An online survey was distributed to medical students across Finland. The responses (N = 150) were analyzed using mixed methods, with descriptive statistics applied to quantitative data and inductive content analysis applied to qualitative data.

Only 25% of participants recalled receiving formal education on racism during their medical studies. Most respondents lacked knowledge of where to access reference materials showing symptoms on skin of colour, whereas they were confident locating the same materials for light skin. Limited curriculum content was considered the most significant barrier to learning about anti-racism in medicine. 39% observed racism in educational settings, but only 26% of these bystanders intervened. Intervention is made more difficult when the perpetrator is a senior clinician. 40% of racialized minority students had been the target of racism at medical school. Overall, students wished for additional supports and learning opportunities as part of their mandatory studies.

There is a need for curriculum reforms promoting anti-racism education, bystander intervention training, safe reporting pathways, and engagement with diagnostic resources depicting symptoms on skin of colour. The study has implications for Finnish medical education and for research on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in healthcare more broadly.