Addressing Racial Health Disparities in Obstetrics and Gynecology: The Importance of DEI Programs in Medical Education
Dr. Versha Pleasant, a clinical assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan Medical School, has dedicated her career to addressing racial health inequities in maternal care for Black mothers. She developed a curriculum that educates medical students about the history of racism in obstetrics and gynecology in the US, including the treatment of enslaved Black women by James Marion Sims without anesthesia. This history has perpetuated the false belief that Black women can withstand greater amounts of pain than White women.
However, Pleasant’s efforts to introduce this curriculum have raised concerns due to the potential impact of new legislation targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in federally-funded medical schools. The “Embracing anti-Discrimination, Unbiased Curricula, and Advancing Truth in Education (EDUCATE) Act,” introduced by North Carolina Republican Rep. Greg Murphy, would prohibit medical schools from receiving federal funding if they adopt DEI policies or requirements related to race, ethnicity, or skin color.
The passage of this bill could roll back the progress made in building inclusive medical school courses and hinder efforts to teach students about different cultures, recruit a diverse student body, and dispel racial stereotypes and myths in healthcare. Research has shown that medical professionals hold flawed beliefs about Black patients’ pain tolerance, which can lead to less accurate treatment recommendations. Furthermore, racial disparities persist in healthcare outcomes for conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, maternal and neonatal disorders, and HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections.
Despite the controversy surrounding DEI initiatives, Pleasant believes that it is crucial to educate medical students about racial health disparities and the origins of biases within the healthcare system. The absence of DEI programs could exacerbate poor health outcomes for Black and brown communities. Dr. Mary Fleming, director of the Leadership Development to Advance Equity in Health Care at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, echoes this sentiment, stressing that understanding the history and origins of racial disparities is essential for creating interventions to correct them.
Furthermore, DEI offices in medical schools serve as safe spaces for students of color, individuals with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. These offices help develop curriculum that reflects the lived experiences of diverse groups, which can lead to more culturally sensitive care for all patients. Dr. Italo Brown, a clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, emphasizes that DEI offices are essential in weaving health equity into medical training as students progress through their education.
The elimination of DEI programs could also make it more challenging for medical schools to recruit a student body that reflects the US population, which is crucial for addressing racial health disparities and ensuring all patients receive equitable care. Research indicates that patients are more likely to provide their doctor with the maximum patient rating in surveys when they share the same racial or ethnic background. Moreover, a study involving 32 Black women found that these women preferred having Black Ob-Gyns due to experiences with racism and discrimination throughout their lives.
Dr. Rachel Blake, a Boston-based Ob-Gyn, and board member for the nonprofit Chamber of Mothers, underscores the importance of DEI programs in medical education, arguing that they are essential for training all doctors to provide culturally-sensitive care and increasing the number of Black and brown Ob-Gyns in the workforce. The absence of DEI programs could negatively impact both future healthcare workforces and patient outcomes.
In summary, the importance of DEI programs in medical education cannot be overstated when addressing racial health disparities and ensuring equitable healthcare for all. The potential impact of legislation like the EDUCATE Act on these programs could hinder progress and perpetuate biases within the medical system. By prioritizing DEI initiatives, we can create a more inclusive, equitable healthcare environment for patients and future healthcare professionals.
