This article was originally published on The Conversation, an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts. Disclosure information is available on the original site. ___ Author: Gary Bloch, Family Physician, Toronto; Associate Professor, University of Toronto, University of Toronto A backlash against EDIA (equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility) is gripping Canadian medicine.
This is no surprise for a historically conservative institution, but as a family physician who has dedicated more than 20 years to ensuring we address social inequities in front-line care, I worry our efforts to prioritize the health of those most socially marginalized could face a setback. The latest outcry started with the November 2023 call for feedback on an interim report from the group shaping the next iteration of the renowned CanMEDS framework. CanMEDS outlines the core competencies of medical professionals in Canada and guides medical school curricula.
The interim report includes a powerful direction statement on EDIA that suggests an intentional focus on the root causes of inequity as they shape medical practice. Within hours of its release, the report was attacked by physicians on X (formerly Twitter). Many illustrated their critiques with sarcasm and personal vitriol.
A deluge of comments poured into the CanMEDS website. The pushback has continued, including a recent opinion piece in the Toronto Star. A false dichotomy The EDIA report’s cri.