Racism, Equity, and Inclusion: Can Clinical Simulation Train Health Care Workers to Build an Anti-Racism Culture?

Abstract

Clinical care delivery continues to suffer from biased social norms, stigma, and racism. Innovative approaches to being prepared for these experiences when they arise are needed. The goal of the HealthPartners Institute’s Clinical Simulation program is, in part, to train clinicians and newly graduated registered nurses entering clinical practice to be prepared for racist care delivery encounters and to implement anti-racism interventions as part of their daily work. A component of the initiative is an educational, instructor-led clinical simulation modality that includes a curriculum with application scenarios. In addition, after the simulation scenarios, a debrief session ensures the opportunity for reflection (as individuals and care team members), discussion (to tease apart distinct ideas/elements), and dialogue (to bring together insights for a shared perspective). Participants express support for this simulation methodology in trainings designed to support anti-racism as well as other stigmas and biases.