In July 2021, and in support of its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the ACGME proudly and formally announced ACGME Equity MattersTM, an initiative that introduces a framework for continuous learning and process improvement in the areas of DEI and anti-racism practices. The initiative aims to drive change within graduate medical education (GME) by increasing physician workforce diversity and building safe and inclusive learning environments, while promoting health equity by addressing racial inequities in health care and overall population health. ACGME Equity Matters launched with the convening of the first of four initial Learning Communities to embark on an 18-month engagement cycle.
Led by the ACGME’s Department of DEI, ACGME Equity Matters will result in a comprehensive set of ideas, models, practices, and data to support interventions that address structural barriers to developing a diverse physician workforce that will improve care for diverse patient populations. Moreover, ACGME Equity Matters provides a safe space for additional discussion and growth through monthly Learning Community meetings in which participants explore their new knowledge and experience with the initiative’s Fundamentals of DEI and anti-racism modules with physician subject matter experts, peer support, and advising. The individual, institutional, and association participants of these Learning Communities will ultimately develop Capstone Projects reflecting innovative equity practices they have integrated into their respective clinical learning environments.
We asked Vice President and Chief Medical Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois Derek Robinson, MD, and Chief Executive Officer, Council of Medical Specialty Societies Helen Burstin, MD to share their perspectives on ACGME Equity Matters and their organizations’ participation.
ACGME: What inspired your organization to be involved with the ACGME Equity Matters initiative?
Dr. Robinson: In 2019 we convened a broad group of stakeholders at our Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois headquarters to better understand the challenges undergirding the need for action in improving diversity of the Illinois physician workforce, as well as pernicious inequities in health care and health outcomes. We had the privilege of having representation across the continuum of medical education, including experts from the ACGME, and initiated a dialogue to understand, in part, how we might catalyze progress on both priorities as a health insurer within our local market. In late 2020, we integrated those learnings into our hospital health equity pilot program with bold, aspirational goals. We also knew that a shared learning environment would be essential to enabling the success our participating hospitals. This is why we decided to partner with the ACGME as it planned to launch the ACGME Equity Matters program in 2021, creating a unique learning community for Illinois. Part of the uniqueness of working with the ACGME is their existing relationships with residency programs across Illinois. The expertise of the ACGME Equity Matters faculty has empowered leaders to view institutional and individual drivers for diversity efforts with a new lens and equipped them with supportive tools to pursue opportunities for improvement and transformation.
Dr. Burstin: The Council of Medical Specialty Societies identified a year ago that a top priority for our specialty societies would focus on equity, diversity, and anti-racism. We were delighted to work closely with [the ACGME] getting [ACGME Equity Matters] off the ground and saw an opportunity for our societies to come together in this way of both experiencing a shared curriculum, which everyone had been asking for, as well as that shared community of a safe space to talk through these issues, and really drive towards significant engagement and improvement. Another driving factor to move forward was the recognition that the medical community had to stay aligned. And while there were differences across specialties, there were also remarkable amounts of commonality of what people could learn and use to drive improvement and change. We are particularly excited about the concept of ACGME Equity Matters also being a vehicle for quality improvement and shared learning. The opportunity to not only build out a Capstone Project and share that information across the societies, but also to connect program director associations from the Organization of Program Directors (OPDA) with this learning opportunity is one that many national organizations don’t usually get to experience.
ACGME: As you reflect on what you have experienced in the first few Learning Sessions, what are some observations that you've made about the participants?
Dr. Robinson: These health care and medical education leaders have not been immune to the stresses and challenges faced by our society over the last two years, and they bring those experiences with them. I have observed that ACGME Equity Matters provides a strong historical context and an environment for rich and honest dialogue. This powerful combination provides the opportunity for the community to engage in difficult conversations in a safe space. This program provides novel tools and approaches that enable and empower leaders within these organizations to engage deeply around these opportunities. In fact, it has been especially empowering for leaders who do not hold DEI titles. One thing is to establish aspirational goals, another is to support the pursuit of those goals with tools and resources that enable success, and I think that's part of what we're able to do, working together.
Dr. Burstin: What I've seen so far has been a remarkable commitment to doing the work. And this takes work. This is not a “one and done effort,” but a sustained effort to learn, reflect, make change, and measure improvement. I've been really impressed by the willingness to do the work from the national organization as part of our CMSS and OPDA Learning Communities. I have also been very pleased, and in many ways humbled, by the degree of honesty and openness that has been shared in the safe space created by the work of a facilitator in a small group coupled with the ability to have the asynchronous learning and hear from the content experts.
ACGME: What might you anticipate as outcomes within your community?
Dr. Robinson: This is a marathon and not a sprint. We recognize and appreciate that organizations have started at different places in this race; some of them will have inclines as others experience hurdles along the way. The Capstone Projects of each organization will reflect the tangible progress they have made on unique opportunities identified as well as remaining challenges on the horizon. Our ACGME Equity Matters Learning Community is a part of a broader suite of health equity enabling initiatives at BCBSIL. I believe that the curation of our collective learning in ACGME Equity Matters will be truly impactful. The opportunity to scale this program from its current geography for broader impact across the country will be the ultimate win.
Dr. Burstin: I strongly believe we will have raised awareness and engagement in DEI and antiracism at the national level of these organizations. Since these organizations came forward with their National Volunteer leader as well as their CEO, there is a level of engagement and a direct line to activation and change in a way that I think is unparalleled. The efforts being made will go beyond just those who are part of this initial pilot. We already have groups waiting in the wings who'd love to join the next ACGME Equity Matters cycle. Also, it will also be exciting to watch participants cascade this learning and materials to their individual members, to their boards, their committees, who can then take that learning, and drive it further and further. The ability to cascade what's being learned at a very high national level and have a ready-made vehicle for dissemination at the local and regional level is really powerful.
Read more about ACGME Equity Matters in a previous ACGME Blog interview with then-ACGME Vice President, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Dr. Bonnie Simpson-Mason, and check back for additional posts as the initiative continues to evolve and grow.