Caucusing activity

Pre-work

Read “The Bias of ‘Professionalism’ Standards“

Questions to ponder in advance:

• How does the information presented in the article fit into your concept or understanding around racism and xenophobia? 

• How have you seen these standards of professionalism play out in your workplace? How have you contributed? 

• What are some ways you have seen others challenge professionalism standards at an organizational or individual level? 

• Who might be an ally in changing your workplace culture? Is there additional funding that can support creating a committee in your organization to undertake this emotional and difficult work?

Activity

• Read “caucusing guidelines” to the group

  • If you have a group that includes multiple levels of medical hierarchy (medical students, residents, attendings, nurses, MAs…) consider explicitly pointing out that expertise in medicine does not equate to expertise on issues of race and equity. For example, “For this exercise, experience and expertise may flip from how they are in clinic or on the wards. The attendings in the room may be the learners today and an MA may be the expert. Let’s recognize that we are all here to learn, share, and challenge each other.”

• Introduction

  • Briefly summarize the article for anyone who wasn’t able to read it and to get everyone on the same page.

  • In large group, invite participants to share what thoughts and emotions arose in reading the article (brief, 5-10 minutes).

• Break into small groups.

  • Suggestions:

    • Group size may depend on the size of your large group. We have found that groups of 3-4 work well. Breaking into small groups allows people to be more vulnerable than they might be in a large group. It also makes it challenging to not participate.

    • Consider the make up of your group and how you might do this. Do you want mixed groups that include all levels (ex. student, intern, attending) or would it be helpful to break into groups that might be more comfortable for challenging discussions (ex. group attendings, students, residents separately)? Are the groups assigned in advance or do you have your group “count off” and then group by number (all the “1s” together, “2s” together, etc.)?

  • Small group questions:

    • How have you noticed examples of acting out white superiority as it relates to professionalism in yourself and others?

    • How do you recall white superiority playing out in rank in previous years (if you were involved)?  Please don’t use names.

    • How do you recall white superiority playing put how you view/review residency applications? 

    • Have you noticed particular comments or things that haven’t been said in letters or in applications?

• Return to large group

  • Brief report back from each small group

  • Forward thinking:

    • How have you personally challenged white superiority in professionalism or what can you commit to doing in the future? 

      • How could you imagine yourself challenging….

    • How has this program/school challenged these models of professionalism? How do we still uphold them?

    • What does it look like to create an antiracist idea of successful medical/academic/residency community?

      • How do you sustain this while working for an unsupportive institution or in an unsupportive health system?

    • How to create a space for strengths-based evaluations and ranking as we prepare for recruitment?

This caucusing activity created by Drs. Zoe Ginsburg, Emily Jones, and Mollie Nisen.