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Let the Sun Shine on the Issue: Difficult Conversations about Learner Mistreatment with Faculty
Objective: Bullying occurs in the setting of power imbalances, where targets of undesired behavior are not able to defend themselves against mistreatment. Mistreatment is an important focus of medical school oversight by the LCME , and educational leaders are asked to respond when a learner reports mistreatment. This workshop reviews common scenarios where OBGYN educators are asked to respond to mistreatment and introduce techniques for skillfully managing difficult conversations about mistreatment with colleagues.
Workshop Agenda:• Defining the issue: We begin with examples of mistreatment as some are overt and others are not as clear. Audience members will have a chance to discuss examples at their table (15 min).
• Framing the intervention: We provide a framework for educational leaders to prepare to confront issues of mistreatment through having difficult conversations. The framework includes a clear statement of the purpose and goals of the conversation, stating the critical issue and rationale, asking for reactions and reflections, and collaborating to create actionable solutions. Tools and useful examples of language to de-escalate conflict will be discussed (15 min).
• Putting it into action: Participants will break into trios to role-play a response to an incident of mistreatment in three scenarios from the Ob/Gyn learning environment (30 min).
• Goal setting: The session concludes with the large group generating action plans to address challenging scenarios and ideas for diffusing negative responses (15 min).
Interactive Component: Practical experience to interrupt mistreatment cycle.
Take Home Product: Understanding scope and subtleties of mistreatment, Difficult Conversations pocket guide for continued skill development.
Related APGO Publications/Modules: Career Development in Academic Medicine Book
Topics:
Faculty Development Seminar, 2021, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Residency Director, Professionalism, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, GME, UME,
