Accepted Type
Oral
Code
OG3-3-1
Was this work accepted for CCME 2020?
no
Category
General Call (Workshop, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation)
Type
Oral
Sub Type
Education Research
Will the presenter be a:
Student
Affiliation
Considered for Poster
no
Title
Intersectionality in Medical Education: A Meta-Narrative Review
Length of Presentation
Background/Purpose
There is significant focus on improving equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in academic medicine, however, little attention is given to understand inequity from an intersectional perspective. Intersectionality is a theoretical framework and methodology that refers to the study of the dynamic nature of social categories with which an individual identifies. Although intersectionality provides a useful framework for both research and practice, a better understanding regarding how it has been applied in a medical education context may inform future efforts to advance social justice. We sought to explore how and why intersectionality has been conceptualized and applied in the context of medical education.
Methods
We employed a meta-narrative synthesis to review existing literature on intersectionality theory and intersectional methodologies and frameworks in medical education. Three electronic databases were searched using key terms yielding 40 articles. After title, abstract, and full-text screening 28 articles were chosen for inclusion. Analysis of articles sought a meaningful synthesis of intersectional theory in relation to research methodology and/or framework, and application of intersectionality theory to medical education.
Results
Existing literature on intersectionality reveals distinct meta-narratives regarding whether intersectionality refers to theory or praxis. There are contrasting narratives on the suitability of quantitative intersectional methodologies and limited consensus on the practical application of intersectionality to medical education.
Conclusion
The potential for intersectionality to improve equity in academic medicine remains constrained by tension between intersectionality as theory and intersectionality as praxis. Drawing explicit attention to the distinction between both meta-narratives may foster complementary and integrative approaches to understanding and applying intersectionality in a medical education context.
Keyword 1
Intersectionality
Keyword 2
Medical education
Keyword 3
Intersectional research
Level of Training
General
Abstract Themes
Teaching and learning
Teaching and Learning
- Diversity
- Inclusive education
Additional Theme (First choice)
Continuing Medical Education
Additional Theme (Second Choice)
Additional Theme (Third Choice)
Authors
Presenter
Maham Rehman
Term 1
Yes
Term 2
Yes
Term 3
Yes
Term 4
Yes
Term 5
Yes
