DOCTORS’ HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Self matters Anti-racism is everyone’s business This regular column explores doctors’ health by highlighting practical ways to support anaesthetists’ and pain specialists’ wellbeing. This edition looks at the impacts of racism and what needs to change.
Our patterns of behaviour are long-ingrained and underpinned by a complex foundation that requires conscious effort to unpick and deliberate practice to change. Awareness is a critical first step and I thank Dr Susie Lord for her piece on racism and the power relationships that perpetuate it. She speaks of the need for honesty, especially with ourselves. She also provides some places to start. We must all do better – for our colleagues and for our fellow citizens. Intrinsic morality and professionalism should drive our commitment to necessary changes to support everyone’s wellbeing, but if you need further impetus then our professional codes of conduct require it. A recent high-profile incident of racism against a Yuggera, Warangoo and Wiradjuri specialist colleague demonstrates that our regulatory bodies are watching and will act. If you have a wellbeing story you’d like to share in a future Bulletin edition, please email me at bulletin@anzca.edu.au Dr Lindy Roberts AM ANZCA Director of Professional Affairs, Education
Colonisation, colonial policy and decision-makers wove racism through the tapestry of our two nations. While there is deserved focus on systemic racism as the root cause of racialised health inequity for patients, this piece focuses on anti-racism as a means of improving the health and wellbeing of doctors – in particular, ANZCA and FPM trainees, specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) and fellows.
WHY ME? I’m a white non-Indigenous cis-female doctor, privileged to live and work on unceded Awabakal and Worimi Lands in so-called NSW Australia. What would I know of racism? Why isn’t this piece authored by someone with lived experience of racism? Is this a “white saviour” or ally act? I asked myself these reflexive questions and more. What I decided I could bring is honesty – I have been racism’s perpetrator and accomplice. It was only as recently as 10 years ago that I transitioned from rudimentary understandings of racism to becoming privilege and racism-aware. After my first immersive cultural competency workshop, I committed to unlearn my biases, to change myself and the waters in which I swim. Having learned to recognise racism beyond the overt, I now witness racism and its fallout every day in our education, health and social systems. I have an inkling of its impacts on people’s individual and collective identities (whānau, hapū, iwi), cultural strengths, wellbeing reserves and careers. However, being of the presiding settler-colonial culture, I cannot know racism’s felt wounds. Through recognising my own privilege, I came to understand my obligation to call out racism and practice anti-racism. Calling out racism is far less “courageous” for me than it would be for some of my colleagues who, by virtue of skin tone, culture or the visible symbols of religion, bear the scars of cumulative racist cuts. Sharing one’s lived experience of racism publicly risks reopening wounds and potentially identifying people involved, with possible repercussions – hence my authorship.
RACISM Racism is more than just prejudice in thought, individual or collective action. It is the combination of prejudice plus power – the power to discriminate against, oppress or limit the human rights of others based on a radicalised construct.1
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ANZCA Bulletin