An Evidence-Based Model for Responding to Discriminatory Behavior: An Active Bystander Training

Creating a Culture of Respect and Inclusion Collaborative Project

The OHSU School of Medicine invested in and joined a national collaborative to create an environment of respect and inclusion by rolling out - across the OHSU School of Medicine - a training and interactive workshop where filmed scenarios and role-playing exercises are discussed. 

The curriculum uses Reader’s Theater script-based readings on actual experiences revolving around disrespect in an academic setting. These video vignettes were developed to raise awareness of bias and set expectations to step in and address bias. 

Through Stepping-In for Respect, the School of Medicine reinforces its commitment to creating an environment where every individual has a sense of belonging, a voice that is heard, and the opportunity to achieve and thrive.

Workshop participants will learn and practice strategies for how to step in when witnessing or directly experiencing disruptive behaviors. Facilitators will help prepare participants to turn difficult conversations into productive ones to stop disrespectful behaviors, reinforce our core values, and create our desired culture.

The Stepping-In for Respect training will enhance the School of Medicine's Active Bystander Intervention training and complement the skills of the 4D's: Delegate, Distract, Delay and Direct taught in the training.

Collaborative Project

Participants of the workshops are provided an opportunity to discuss response strategies and are given institutional policies and protocols on reporting.  Workshops offer relevant reporting and support resources that can promote efforts for inclusion and eliminate bias in clinical and educational settings.  Participants also explore how messaging can foster an environment of respect and inclusion, and set expectations for patients, staff and trainees.

Highlights

• A two-year engagement in IRB-approved research with surveys to assess the effectiveness of workshops (pre, immediately post and 6-months post), as well as an annual survey of trainees
• Access to a web portal for the Collaborative that includes research surveys, all planning materials, videos, reader’s theater, facilitator guides and resources to support organizational change
• Opportunity to engage in a community of learning and practice with other healthcare institutions on challenges in fostering respect and inclusion
• Opportunity to collaborate on publications and presentations by the Collaborative on topics of respect and inclusion
• Opportunity to track and present/publish single-institution data
• Engagement and participation in the Train the Trainer Workshop
• Data management for the survey and climate data at your institutions
• Opportunity to contribute ideas, solutions, planning and resource materials to the Collaborative web portal

You will learn to:

• Determine when intervention is needed by analyzing scenarios of real events in academic medicine
• Apply intervention strategies for stepping in when witnessing or experiencing bias or discrimination
• Reporting mechanisms and process

• Role-play scenarios to practice your new skills

You will benefit by:

• Having a better understanding of the harm bias and discrimination causes
• Being able to have open and honest conversations with peers on how to handle situations of disrespect
• Taking an active role to mitigate harmful behaviors and acts