Clinical Communication Pearls | Microaggressions Part 2: Approaching Microaggressions as a Bystander

UnsCripted Medicine

In this episode of the UnsCripted Podcast, Rachel and Alex continue their discussion about managing microaggressions with Dr. Lisa Kelly. The focus of this episode is how to recognize and manage microaggressions as a bystander working in a hospital or clinic. Dr. Kelly is a board-certified ophthalmologist, is the board director for the Advancing Inclusion in Medical Education task force at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, course director for the Physician and Society 201/202 courses at UC, and director of Medical Student Education in Ophthalmology at UC.
In our discussion, Dr. Kelly relays key points about the delicate and subtle approach to managing microaggressions directed to our patients or colleagues. These include recognizing microaggressions when they occur, considering how our own implicit biases may blind us or contribute to such aggressions, and maintaining a mindset of cultural humility whenever a patient or colleague feels harmed by the words or actions of another.
Dr. Kelly also shares her key tips on how to be a "good bystander" when faced with a microaggressions, including:
1. Recognize microaggressions when they occur
2. Realize our own implicit biases and how they play into such aggressions
3. Have a planning approach for handling these attacks on patients or colleagues
4. Have the courage and humility to ask patients or colleagues when they feel attacked
5. Know when to ask for help from your own team when facing microaggressions
This is truly an enlightening and humbling discussion, and we hope that it helps us all move forward as a stronger medical community that provides better care for our colleagues and our patients!