Walking the path towards safer, more equitable healthcare spaces
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A look at the first year for the Anti-Racism Anti-Discrimination Action Advisory Committee and Indigenous Advisory Circle
People may feel at their most vulnerable when seeking health care. Physicians and physician assistants can help make each patient interaction safer by considering the whole patient—including their culture, gender, age, ability and all aspects of their identity.
With a mandate of protecting patients, CPSA also has a role to play in ensuring care spaces are safe, which includes addressing healthcare inequities—specifically when it comes to racism, discrimination and bias in the medical profession and in the greater health system.
In 2021, we committed to walking the path towards equity in health care, knowing we needed guidance to make meaningful progress. By the end of that year, CPSA Council had established two new committees:
“Our work together is still in the early days, but we are on the right path. Let’s keep going.”
the Anti-Racism Anti-Discrimination Action Advisory Committee (ARADAAC), comprised of community physicians and medical learners, along with CPSA Councillors and team members, and
the Indigenous Advisory Circle (the Circle), comprised of physicians, Indigenous health leaders and individuals who share their perspectives as community members and patients.
ARADAAC and the Circle spent 2022 laying the foundation upon which CPSA will take action within our regulatory role.
Highlights from 2022
ARADAAC met in January, February, May, July and November. During that time, they guided the development of a CPSA position statement on racism and discrimination, and discussed future development of resources, education and guidance for the profession on anti-racism and anti-discrimination.
The Circle met in February, May, August and October. During that time, they provided overarching advice to CPSA on authentic Indigenous connections, discussed opportunities for CPSA to act to enhance healthcare experiences for Indigenous patients and healthcare practitioners, and shared knowledge, experiences and stories—their own or those of their communities.
What we’ve heard: CPSA’s key early learnings
We received feedback from health professionals and patients with lived experience with racism and discrimination about CPSA’s position statement, which will help shape CPSA’s direction in this space.
Authentic connections begin with trust and relationship building. An important part of this for CPSA is to work towards cultural safety for patients, communities and physicians who engage with us.
CPSA must recognize the unique needs of Indigenous people and communities and be mindful to not take a pan-indigenous approach to our work.
CPSA’s 2022-2026 strategic plan outlines the importance of meaningful anti-racism and anti-discrimination work and building authentic Indigenous connections. We asked Dr. Daisy Fung, CPSA Councillor and ARADAAC Chair, about the strategic plan and the impact of ARADAAC and the Circle. This is what she shared:
“It's overdue for CPSA, our profession and health care in Alberta to be formal and intentional in anti-racism anti-discrimination work. While it’s challenging and humbling—essentially guaranteeing mistakes will be made—it’s also crucial for our patients and for the evolution of medicine and health care. This is fulfilling and educational work, and I’m excited for anti-racism and anti-discrimination to eventually become a routine, intentional and genuine part of our work for all of us in health care.”
