Abstract
Self-healing is imperative. Biases wield a significant impact on the health and well-being of providers, learners, staff, and the communities they serve. While explicit bias has decreased in the United States, implicit bias remains pervasive within healthcare systems nationwide. Certain environments lack inclusivity, leading to disproportionate alienation of marginalized individuals within the community. Consequently, these individuals often suffer unintended or deliberate harm. Our department’s climate survey revealed that those least affected by racism, microaggressions, or bias struggle to recognize such occurrences. Recognizing and confronting biases is our fundamental professional obligation. Therefore, the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health (FMCH) has embarked on a journey to foster a sense of belonging. This initiative aims to facilitate healing within providers, learners, and staff, ultimately enhancing care delivery to the community. Restorative justice (RJ) serves as our guiding principle, focusing on calling individuals in rather than calling them out for behaviors that disrupt unity. RJ offers a practical framework for building trust within communities, consisting of three tiers: community building, repairing relationships, and providing support to both the harmed and the wrongdoer. Through this empathetic approach, we seek to restore belongingness, fortify relationships, and address marginalization in healthcare.
Presenters
Shahida FareedDirector of Behavioral Health, Family Medicine and Community Health, U of Massachusetts Medical School and Medical Group, Massachusetts, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
2024 Special Focus—Health for Democracy, Democracy for Health
KEYWORDS
Marginalized Population, Healthcare System, Implicit Bias, Restorative Justice
