Learning About Colonialism in Health Education
Author Information
Author(s): Melro Carolyn M., Matheson Kimberly, Bombay Amy
Primary Institution: Dalhousie University
Hypothesis
Does learning about colonialism reduce racism and improve allyship towards Indigenous Peoples in health professional programs?
Conclusion
Educational opportunities on colonialism may have unintended negative effects on learners' attitudes towards Indigenous Peoples.
Supporting Evidence
- 15 studies were reviewed to assess the impact of educational experiences on learner outcomes.
- Short-term evaluations showed positive changes in attitudes, but long-term effects were often negative.
- Two studies indicated a backfire effect where learners expressed more negative attitudes post-training.
Takeaway
Teaching about colonialism in health programs is important, but sometimes it can make people feel more negatively about Indigenous Peoples instead of helping them.
Methodology
An integrated review of literature assessing educational outcomes related to colonialism in health professional programs.
Potential Biases
Publication bias may favor studies with positive outcomes.
Limitations
Limited long-term evaluations and potential for backfire effects on attitudes.
Participant Demographics
Health professional students from Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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