Allyship in Residency: An Introductory Module on Medical Allyship for Graduate Medical Trainees

Abstract

Introduction: Lack of diversity impacts research, medical curricula, and medical trainees' ability to provide equitable patient care. The concept of allyship, defined as a supportive association between identities with power and privilege and marginalized identities, provides an optimal framework for enhancing education about health equity. Currently, there are no established curricula focused on allyship and limited mention within current medical training literature. We propose use of allyship to increase graduate medical trainee understanding of diversity and focus on health equity. Methods: We developed a 1-hour workshop aimed at helping residents understand the definition of allyship, effective allyship to patients and colleagues, and allyship differences across communities. The workshop consisted of pre-and postassessment surveys, a didactic presentation module, and facilitated case study discussions. It was conducted locally on four occasions across pediatrics, family medicine, surgery, and emergency medicine residency programs. Results: An analysis of the 101 preassessment and 58 postassessment survey responses revealed an increased level of knowledge regarding allyship (p < .001) and increased comprehension of allyship competencies (p < .001). All workshop learning objectives demonstrated positive change postmodule. Discussion: With an increasing need for curricula to address health equity in medical trainees, this workshop serves as a unique and effective approach to expanding cultural responsiveness skills under the lens of allyship. Specifically, the workshop functions as a constructive introduction to allyship principles and practices and can serve as a foundation on which residents can build more robust skills as a part of their allyship journey.

Inclusion and Allyship in Orthopaedic Surgery Training and Practice

“…Such institutions include, but are not limited to, Black Women Orthopaedic Surgeons (BWOS), Pride Ortho, Nth Dimensions, International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance (IODA), J. Robert Gladden Orthopaedic Society (JRGOS), and Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society (RJOS). Outside of orthopaedic surgery, other valuable resources include the well-supported Allyship in Residency virtual curriculum on MedEdPORTAL 12 or Nova Reid's book, The Good Ally, among others.…”

Increasing Diversity in Residency Training Programs

“…Other department interventions include training new faculty members on dealing with hypervisibility, stereotype threat, and institutional racism [ 19 ]. MedEdPortal provides some excellent training modules to facilitate these discussions at a program level [ 20 , 21 ].…”

“…Integrating allyship training into GME training holds promise in promoting safe spaces where diversity can flourish. Nicole Asong Nfonoyim-Hara defines allyship as “when a person of privilege works in solidarity and partnership with a marginalized group of people to help take down the systems that challenge that group’s basic rights, equal access, and ability to thrive in our society [ 39 ].” The Albany Medical Center in New York developed an Allyship in Residency Workshop [ 21 ] which was aimed at helping residents understand the definition of allyship and apply it to colleagues and across their community. An analysis of their attendees noted an increase in knowledge and comprehension of allyship competencies.…”

Taking Steps to Promote Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Surgical Workforce

“…Progressive colleagues have demonstrated that beyond seeking such attributes from applicants, a culture of allyship can be purposefully cultivated within the existing trainee community. 5 The key question, then, is how to recruit and develop a diverse workforce that allows us to achieve these outcomes. The ACS has laid out an inspiring vision for our future, and it is imperative that we think critically about our role in achieving it.…”