{"id":140234,"date":"2024-01-11T00:02:04","date_gmt":"2024-01-11T05:02:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.thecollegefix.com\/?p=140234"},"modified":"2024-01-10T21:04:16","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T02:04:16","slug":"doctors-protest-proposed-dei-emphasis-in-canadian-medical-school-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.thecollegefix.com\/doctors-protest-proposed-dei-emphasis-in-canadian-medical-school-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctors protest proposed DEI emphasis in Canadian medical school training"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u2018It will lead to worse care for patients,\u2019 create doctors who \u2018care more about ideology’ than patients: watchdog group\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

A draft report from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons in Canada that recommends medical schools focus more on \u201canti-racism\u201d and \u201coppression\u201d is causing an uproar among many in the medical community.<\/p>\n

The proposed alterations to CanMEDS, the framework that shapes medical education in Canada, came from an interim report<\/a> by the college\u2019s Anti-Racism Expert Working Group, published in late November on X. CanMEDs standards are set to be updated in 2025.<\/p>\n

The report calls for \u201cde-centering medical expertise\u201d in favor of topics such as \u201cdecolonization,\u201d \u201csocial justice,\u201d and \u201cinclusive compassion.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBy challenging the status quo and embracing courageous actions and bold leadership, we can build a healthcare system that actively combats systemic inequities and promotes social justice rather than further perpetuating systems of oppression,\u201d the report states<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The proposal has alarmed a number of prominent physicians, academics, and medical organizations.<\/p>\n

\u201cI worry for the profession,\u201d Dr. Roy Eappen, senior fellow with the medical watchdog group Do No Harm, told The College Fix<\/em> when asked about the report.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will put less competent professionals who will care more about ideology than patient centered care. It will lead to worse care for patients across Canada,\u201d Eappen told The Fix<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Do No Harm launched a petition in opposition to the proposal, and almost 300 Canadian health care professionals have signed it so far, according<\/a> to the organization.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has been a lot of negative feedback both from average physicians and academia. I have personally heard from physician specialist friends across Canada in academia and otherwise, that these proposals must be shelved,\u201d Eappen told The Fix<\/em>. \u201cClinical excellence should always be the goal of medical education. These changes suggest that activism trumps clinical excellence, compassion, and scholarship.”<\/p>\n

The Royal College did not respond to The Fix<\/em>\u2019s questions about the report but directed it to a Dec. 4 statement<\/a> from its CEO Dr. Ian Bowmer who said they received a \u201csignificant number of responses\u201d to the proposal.<\/p>\n

\u201cSome of the online discussions seemed to suggest that the ideas expressed in these supporting documents were the proposed adaptations\u201d by the Royal College and its partner organizations, Bowmer said in the statement. \u201cRather, the documents were made available to solicit input and varied perspectives into evolving the future framework.\u201d<\/p>\n

But the draft report came from one of several expert working groups<\/a> established by the Royal College to update CanMEDS. The working group envisions a new Canadian medical system that prioritizes \u201cbidirectional relationships with patients, providers, communities, the land, the health system and society at large rather than the individual physician as a gatekeeper of professionalized knowledge.”<\/p>\n

“With this new model, we can reflect a stance of humility over hubris.\u201d<\/p>\n

In his statement, Bowmer said the CanMEDS updates will \u201cclosely align\u201d with the Royal College\u2019s strategic plan, which includes \u201cindigenous health, anti-racism, equity, diversity and inclusion\u201d as well as \u201cplanetary health and sustainable healthcare.\u201d<\/p>\n

But other prominent physicians and academics<\/a>, including Concordia University professor and author Gad Saad, disagree with the new ideological focus.<\/p>\n

Dr. David Jacobs, president of the Ontario Association of Radiologists, spoke out against the draft report in a December post on X, saying some medical schools already include more \u201csocial justice training\u201d than practical medical skills.<\/p>\n

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On this schedule from a Canadian medical school, there are 2 hrs of EITHER Anatomy or Clinical Skills for every 6 hrs of Self, Society, and Social Accountability.<\/p>\n

The Royal College wants your thoughts on a proposal to INCREASE social justice training.\ud83d\udc47https:\/\/t.co\/713FyuXYs4<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/sGX2qeyDic<\/a><\/p>\n

— David Jacobs (@DrJacobsRad) December 5, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n