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Diversity in sim, a (short) thread.
I asked this question yesterday because I realized, in my tenure as a sim learning, facilitator, champion, educator I have never been involved in a sim that represented the ethnic and cultural makeup of myself, or my family
1/x https://twitter.com/DoctorAliaD/status/1351264361130713088
I asked this question yesterday because I realized, in my tenure as a sim learning, facilitator, champion, educator I have never been involved in a sim that represented the ethnic and cultural makeup of myself, or my family
1/x https://twitter.com/DoctorAliaD/status/1351264361130713088
That means, no sim patient case involving a person from East african, spanish, muslim, indian heritage. And none were immigrants. Other than the occasional "homeless man" case, social determinants were never discussed in sim.
I have also, in all honesty, never written a case that included a cultural name, or included an ethnic heritage that represented my own heritage.
Why?
Why?
Well, it could be because:
--the mannequins are typically "white," blue eyed and light haired
--ethnic names are harder to pronounce
--people may be offended by cultural representation in cases?
--it doesn't matter to the medical objectives anyways?
--the mannequins are typically "white," blue eyed and light haired
--ethnic names are harder to pronounce
--people may be offended by cultural representation in cases?
--it doesn't matter to the medical objectives anyways?
We have some great research looking at the mannequin and how it effects learner engagement, simulation learning, and teaching (see @purdy_eve's work).
I think there are harder solutions, and easier solutions.
Here are some of my "easier" solutions:
I think there are harder solutions, and easier solutions.
Here are some of my "easier" solutions:
When writing a case, incorporate a piece of your ethnic or cultural heritage, and/or represents a visible minority. Choose a cultural name that resonates with your background
How about our traditionally heteronormative value systems?
Male patients can be accompanied by, or brought to ED by their male partners (ditto for females).
Male patients can be accompanied by, or brought to ED by their male partners (ditto for females).
If you're facilitating cases, review them ahead of time with a diversity lens, and aim to de-homogenize them.
As part of debriefs, discuss this aspect of the simulation case, take a few moments and celebrate diversity.
As part of debriefs, discuss this aspect of the simulation case, take a few moments and celebrate diversity.
Consider the socio-economic factors that may have contributed to a patient's presentation in the sim case. What systemic factors may have led to this patient's presentation? "See" the mannequin as a representation of a greater clinical picture
These are just my ideas, and I think there are many people who have many more ideas on this topic. I humbly present this as a train of thoughts, that I'm going to continue to reflect on.
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