Exploring Resistance in the Context of Social Justice Education in Undergraduate Medical Education
Date
2024-06-18
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Abstract
Background: This study explores the nuanced phenomenon of student resistance to social justice education, aiming to understand how and why students may resist this in the context of a new undergraduate medical curriculum at the University of Calgary. This curriculum features a longitudinal integration of a health equity and structural competency curriculum. Previous resistance from students towards this aspect of the curriculum hinted at this being a possible phenomenon in the new curriculum, thus warranting empirical investigation. Methods: This qualitative case study utilized semi-structured interviews with first-year medical students and faculty members at the University of Calgary to gain insight into student resistance and the ways it manifests. Phenomenography was used as a supplemental analytic lens to examine variation in resistance as a phenomenon. Results: Between September and December 2023, 23 semi-structured interviews were conducted with medical students and faculty members. Student resistance manifested in various emotional, cognitive, and behavioural responses. Reasons for student resistance also varied from feelings of discomfort and guilt, fear of being called out, anxiety surrounding medical knowledge and clinical competence, and personal biases and prejudice. Based on these findings, an outcome space delineates a spectrum of student resistance. Conclusion: Resistance to social justice education from medical students is a complex phenomenon that requires careful consideration. Findings from this case study reveal the diverse ways students may resist social justice education, ranging from emotional discomfort to skepticism about the relevance of social justice education to clinical practice. The findings also highlight the importance of taking proactive measures in addressing this resistance. Medical schools can work towards this by meaningfully integrating social justice education into curricula, utilizing pedagogical approaches that could mitigate potential resistance, prioritizing faculty development, and diversifying assessment strategies.
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Keywords
Medical Education, Curriculum, Resistance, Case Study
Citation
Adel, A. (2024). Exploring resistance in the context of social justice education in undergraduate medical education (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.