ABSTRACT
Background: In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the pervasive impact of systemic racism on healthcare outcomes and medical education. Medical learners, as future healthcare professionals, play a crucial role in addressing and dismantling these disparities. This study explores the emergence of anti-racist activism among medical learners, aiming to understand the factors driving their engagement and the potential implications for promoting social change within medical education.
Aim: The primary objective of this research is to investigate the motivations and strategies employed by medical learners in their anti-racist activism. By examining their experiences, perceptions, and initiatives, the study aims to identify effective approaches for fostering anti-racist attitudes, behaviors, and policies within medical education settings.
Methods: This research adopted a qualitative approach, utilized in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and conducted content analysis of relevant documents and online platforms. A diverse sample of medical learners from various institutions and backgrounds was recruited to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of anti-racist activism within the medical community.
Results: Preliminary findings highlight a strong desire among medical learners to actively contribute to dismantling systemic racism in healthcare. Motivations for engagement range from personal experiences with discrimination to a broader commitment to social justice. The study identifies key strategies employed by medical learners, including curriculum advocacy, community outreach, and collaboration with institutional stakeholders. Results also illuminate challenges faced by learners in their activism, such as resistance from traditional structures and the need for ongoing support and mentorship.
Conclusion: This research sheds light on the burgeoning anti-racist activism within the medical learner community, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a socially conscious and inclusive medical education environment. The findings underscore the need for institutional reforms that prioritize anti-racist education and create spaces for learners to lead initiatives promoting social change. The study contributes to the broader discourse on medical education reform and anti-racist practices by providing actionable insights and recommendations for fostering a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system.
Keywords: Anti-racist activism, Medical learners, Healthcare disparities, Social change, Medical  education, Systemic racism, Inclusivity, Curriculum advocacy, Community outreach, Institutional reform.