Moving beyond inquiry: a secondary qualitative analysis on promoting racial justice in clinical care

BackgroundAnti-Black racism is prevalent in medicine, and anti-racism training is needed in medical education. One such training is the Presence 5 for Racial Justice (P5RJ) Curriculum which covers evidence-based anti-racism communication strategies that promote health equity for Black patients. The P5RJ Curriculum was developed using feedback from clinicians and trainees with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) experience. In this study, we identify themes in recommended anti-racism language and phrases that surveyed clinicians and trainees use to promote racial justice and health equity in clinical care for Black patients.MethodsSecondary analysis of survey responses to identify themes in qualitative data. Dataset: Survey responses of specific phrases for anti-racism communication based on P5RJ Curriculum feedback. Population studied: N = 50 respondents (27 clinicians, 17 medical trainees, 6 unreported) recruited through convenience sampling and listservs of clinicians with DEI experience. An inductive qualitative analysis was performed on survey responses to identify emerging themes.ResultsEmerging themes from survey responses reflected four communication practices: Inquiry was the predominant practice (59%), followed by Empathy (25%), Statements of Allyship (9%), and Self-Accountability (8%).ConclusionInquiry and empathy may be predominant communication practices when addressing anti-Black racism in medicine. There is an opportunity to expand anti-racism communication tools with statements of self-accountability and allyship. Future research is necessary to analyze the patient voice on clinician communication practices that promote anti-racism in clinical care.

Automated summary

Anti-Black racism is prevalent in medicine, and there is a need for anti-racism training in medical education. The Presence 5 for Racial Justice (P5RJ) Curriculum provides evidence-based anti-racism communication strategies to promote health equity for Black patients. This study identifies themes in recommended anti-racism language and phrases used by clinicians and trainees to promote racial justice and health equity in clinical care for Black patients.