Twelve tips for developing active bystander intervention training for medical students

Abstract

Healthcare experiences of mistreatment are long standing issues, with many not knowing how to recognise it and respond appropriately. Active bystander intervention (ABI) training prepares individuals with tools and strategies to challenge incidences of discrimination and harassment that they may witness. This type of training shares a philosophy that all members of the healthcare community have a role to play in tackling discrimination and healthcare inequalities. We developed an ABI training programme for undergraduate medical students, after recognising the need for this given the students’ adverse experiences on clinical placements. From longitudinal feedback and robust observations of this programme, this paper intends to provide key learning lessons and guidance on how to develop, deliver and support faculty in facilitating these types of trainings. These tips are also accompanied by recommended resources and suggested examples.

Keywords:

• Phase of education
• undergraduate
• management
• student support
• curriculum
• education environment

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the following contributors who developed and delivered the ABI training: Dr Elizabeth Andargachew, Dr Kate Macfarlane, Dr Marie Mathers, Dr Charu Chopra, Dr Ingrid Young, Mr Azeem Merchant, Dr Thom O’Neill, Dr Agata Dunsmore, Mrs Phillipa Burns, Dr Callum Cruickshank, Ms Lorraine Close, Dr Ailsa Hamilton, Dr Chenai Mautsi, Ms Elsbeth Dewhirst, Dr Callum Mutch, Dr James Millar, and Dr Zain Hussain.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Debbie Aitken

Debbie Aitken (she/her), BA, MA, PGCE, MSc, PGCAP, PhD, PFHEA, is the Director of the MSc in Medical Education and a Fellow of Harris Manchester College at the University of Oxford. She was previously a Senior Lecturer in Medical Education, Director of Clinical Educator Programme (CEP), and Lead for MBChB Bystander & Diversity training at the University of Edinburgh Medical School.

Heen Shamaz

Heen Shamaz (she/her), is a third year medical student at The University of Edinburgh intercalating in Surgical Sciences. Currently, she is the President of Edinburgh University’s Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Medics Society.

Abha Panchdhari

Abha Panchdhari (she/her), is a third year medical student at the University of Edinburgh intercalating in immunology. She is the Secretary of Edinburgh University’s BAME Medics Society.

Sonia Afonso de Barros

Sonia Afonso de Barros (she/her), MBChB, MA, MRCP, is a Acute Medicine doctor and Senior Wellbeing Tutor at the University of Edinburgh.

Grace Hodge

Grace Hodge (she/her), is a second year Education (with Psychology) student at the University of Cambridge.

Zac Finch

Zac Finch (he/him), BSc (Hons), is a fifth year medical student at the University of Edinburgh and is Secretary of the University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT+) Medics’ Society.

Riya Elizabeth George

Riya Elizabeth George (she/her), PhD, SFHEA, is a Associate Professor/Reader in Clinical Communication Skills & Diversity Education. Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Health Sciences Education, Queen Mary University of London.