Possibles Selves for Antiracism and Health Equity: A Qualitative Analysis of Residents’ Individual Development Plans

• In Event: Fostering Reflective Thinking in Emerging Professionals

Abstract

The study examined how medical residents characterized possible selves for anti-racist and health equity praxes. Drawing upon the possible selves theory, we conducted a reflexive thematic analysis of 60 individual development plans for first-year (PGY1) trainees who completed an anti-racism and health equity-themed course for clinical teaching. This analysis revealed three themes: (1) availability of social networks, (2) emphasis on learning the language of anti-racism and health equity, and (3) narrow conceptions of reasonable actions they could complete as a PGY3 resident. This study's findings have implications for supporting residents in learning to work within their spheres of influence to enact equitable practice.

Authors

• Francesca A. Williamson, University of Michigan

• Jacqueline Paiz, Indiana University

• Zeina Nabhan, Indiana University