Purpose: To explore the impact of historical racism on the evolution of obstetrics and gynecology, and its implications on current Black maternal mortality
Background: The repercussions of the transatlantic slave trade are extensive. There is a need for deeper understanding of this history in order to address current racial health disparities.
Methods: A pilot session among two M1 classes (2020 and 2021) at the University of Michigan consisted of: optional pre-reading, 1-hour didactic lecture on the history of the slave trade as it relates to the evolution of Ob/GYN and as a framework for understanding modern day Black maternal mortality, 1-hour small and large group discussion, and post-course survey.
Results: \"338 students participated in the curriculum. Post-session survey was sent to a convenience sample of 169 students. 146 (86%) completed the survey. 94.4% felt that their participation in this session will lead to positive change in their own practice and 62.5% rated the session as excellent. Comments included: “…amazing session and absolutely think it should be a requirement for every incoming class
Discussions: and “…presentation did a good job of showing how historical racism persisted today and how it manifested in racial disparities.” Areas of improvement included: “…learned a lot about the history but not as much about what we do to improve things in the present day” and “some of our classmates wanted a trigger warning and debrief session.”
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2023, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, GME, Lecture, Public Health,
Primary Author Versha, Pleasant; MD; Second Author Rosalyn, Maben-Feaster;
