Journal CME, June 2022: Equity: Critical Conversations - Introduction-Equity: Critical Conversations

Equity: Critical Conversations - Introduction article.pdf

Pdf Summary

This introduction to the special issue of the PM&R journal, written by Priya Chandan and Molly Fuentes, emphasizes the significance of addressing health equity and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within clinical medicine. This special issue aims to bring diverse perspectives to the forefront, particularly from voices not traditionally included in these critical conversations.<br /><br />Physicians from underrepresented backgrounds shared experiences about their patients and themselves, highlighting several important themes: understanding the historical contexts of marginalized groups, recognizing the impact of DEI efforts on the physician workforce, and the intertwined nature of health equity and workplace inclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for health equity, as marginalized communities faced disproportionate health outcomes due to structural inequities.<br /><br />The authors stress that key concepts in health equity and DEI, such as health and healthcare disparities, social determinants of health (SDOH), implicit and explicit biases, microaggressions, and allyship, are essential for productive discussions on equity. They provided detailed definitions and resources for these concepts in Table 1. They also distinguish between debate, discussion, and dialogue, advocating for dialogues focused on understanding and inclusion.<br /><br />The issue includes personal narratives from diverse authors, encouraging readers to engage in critical self-reflection without judgment. Several insightful questions are posed to foster a deeper understanding and meaningful dialogue about equity within the field of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R).<br /><br />In conclusion, the special issue not only aims to facilitate critical conversations about equity among patients and colleagues but also calls for the field of PM&R to lead in these equity efforts. The authors highlight the need for ongoing self-education and self-reflection to engage effectively in these dialogues and advance equity in both clinical practice and the broader healthcare system. <br /><br />Finally, the piece acknowledges the contributions of authors and underscores the continued importance of diverse, authentic voices in fostering dialogue and understanding in the pursuit of health equity.

Keywords

health equity

diversity

equity

inclusion

DEI

healthcare disparities

social determinants of health

implicit biases

COVID-19

workplace inclusion