Health Equity in Pediatrics: Interrupting Microaggressions (S9 Ep. 60)

The third episode in the Health Equity in Pediatrics series focuses on microaggressions, which are subtle slights, snubs, and digs that are seemingly innocent, innocuous, and naïve at first glance.  But their roots in harmful stereotypes and assumptions are psychologically disparaging and invalidating to the people from marginalized groups they offend. They reflect implicit bias that is unconsciously embedded into language and behavior.  As an ally, interrupting microaggressions can be a challenge that requires curiosity to confront.  The decision to interrupt is individual and complex, but this episode will provide allies with the skills to intervene through role play in several scenarios.  

Want to make a bigger difference in health equity? Complete an anonymous survey here after you listen to the episode or visit www.thepedsnp.com and click the “Complete a Survey” button at the top of the page. The responses will provide greater insight into how podcasts impact education and behavior through microlearning of health equity concepts. After you complete a survey, you’ll receive a separate link to enter your email to a raffle for a $15 Amazon gift card.  Winners will be chosen at random and notified by email one week after the original publication date. This raffle was made possible by grant funding from the sources below. 

Disclaimer: This series was supported by the North Carolina Chapter of the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Dr. Rasheeda Monroe Health Equity grant whose mission is to support research and quality improvement aimed at improving health equity among infants, children, and adolescents. The content of this episode reflects my views and does not necessarily represent, nor is an endorsement of, NC NAPNAP or the Dr. Rasheeda Monroe Health Equity grant.  For more information, please community.napnap.org/northcarolinachapter.

References:

Acholonu, R. G., Cook, T. E., Roswell, R. O., & Greene, R. E. (2020). Interrupting Microaggressions in Health Care Settings: A Guide for Teaching Medical Students. MedEdPORTAL : The journal of teaching and learning resources, 16, 10969. https://doi.org/10.15766/mep_2374-8265.10969

FitzGerald, C., & Hurst, S. (2017). Implicit bias in healthcare professionals: a systematic review. BMC medical ethics, 18(1), 19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12910-017-0179-8

Kanter, J. (2020). Microaggressions aren’t just innocent blunders– research links them with racial bias. The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/microaggressions-arent-just-innocent-blunders-research-links-them-with-racial-bias-145894

Sue, D. W., Capodilupo, C. M., Torino, G. C., Bucceri, J. M., Holder, A. M., Nadal, K. L., & Esquilin, M. (2007). Racial microaggressions in everyday life: implications for clinical practice. The American psychologist, 62(4), 271–286. https://doi.org/10.1037/0003-066X.62.4.271

Sue, D. W., Alsaidi, S., Awad, M. N., Glaeser, E., Calle, C. Z., & Mendez, N. (2019). Disarming racial microaggressions: Microintervention strategies for targets, White allies, and bystanders. The American psychologist, 74(1), 128–142. https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000296

Turner, J., Higgins, R., & Childs, E. (2021). Microaggression and Implicit Bias. The American Surgeon, 87(11), 1727–1731. https://doi.org/10.1177/00031348211023418