Microaggressions in Medicine

Black Doctor Racially Profiled

Training Doctors in Implicit Bias
Microaggressions in Medicine

What To Do About Microaggressions
Cheung, F., Ganote, C. M., & Souza, T.J. (2016) use the A.C.T.I.O.N. acronym as a safe way for people to address microaggressions at work or in society.
Take A.C.T.I.O.N.
Ask: Clarifying questions to assist with understanding the microaggressor’s intentions.
Carefully listen: If they disagree with your paraphrase, you could end the conversation or make a statement about their initial comment. If they agree with your paraphrase, explore their intention further.
Tell others: What you observed as problematic in a factual manner.
Impact consideration: Ask for or state the potential impact of such a statement or action on others.
Own your response: Own your own thoughts and feelings around the impact using first-person language.
Next steps: Request appropriate action be taken and check in with the target of the microaggresion.
This strategy is also featured in the Harvard Macy Community Blog: https://www.harvardmacy.org/index.php/hmi/mededpearls-october-2018-microaggressions
Ganote, C., Cheung, F., & Souza, T. (2016). Micro-aggressions, micro-resistance, and ally development in the academy.
Where to Report Instances of Bias
Anonymous Comment Box for Bias Reports
Read More About Microaggressions
Scholarly Article: “I, Too, Am a Physician” by Omonele Nwokolo
Photo Project: 21 Racial Microaggressions You Hear in Everyday Life