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The meeting of the fellows of @Royal_College today was extremely disappointing.
I could rant for pages and pages about all the reasons why, but I want to focus on one particular idea that @smoffattbruce1 kept refrencing:
equity.
Nothing about this meeting was equitable:
1/
I could rant for pages and pages about all the reasons why, but I want to focus on one particular idea that @smoffattbruce1 kept refrencing:
equity.
Nothing about this meeting was equitable:
1/
First of all, the timing of the meeting.
Who books a meeting for physicians at 13:30 on a weekday? I am working the night shift tonight, which is why I could attend, but most young physicians are working right now.
There is a major selection bias here.
2/
Who books a meeting for physicians at 13:30 on a weekday? I am working the night shift tonight, which is why I could attend, but most young physicians are working right now.
There is a major selection bias here.
2/
Also, the delay in organizing this meeting (ie 2 months after @jddneary submitted his petition), made the motions less relevant.
If these motions were put forward at the start of April, a solution for certification prior to July 1 could have been reached...
3/
If these motions were put forward at the start of April, a solution for certification prior to July 1 could have been reached...
3/
However, since the @Royal_College waited until now to hold the meeting, the chances of creating a path to certification in a timely fashion are slim to nil.
4/
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Next, and this is really the main issue, is the problem with the implementation of "equity" in the @Royal_College's 'four point plan'.
To understand this, you need to understand the definition of equity...
5/
To understand this, you need to understand the definition of equity...
5/
Equity does not just mean everyone gets the same treatment. Equity means providing supports so that everyone (and especially marginalized groups) gets equal opportunity.
This picture is illustrative:
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This picture is illustrative:
6/
Today, @smoffattbruce1 said that equity means everyone writes at the same time. That is like the picture on the left.
It is not equity because it leaves a whole lot of folks behind...
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It is not equity because it leaves a whole lot of folks behind...
7/
Where is the equity for residents who planned pregnancies, or even delayed pregnancies, around this exam, and cannot write an exam in the fall? What are they supposed to do?
8/
8/
Where is the equity for residents who have worked hard to get fellowships or jobs in other countries and now cannot work for months? They have lost their incomes and their educations...
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9/
Where is the equity for residents who are starting work here in Canada and who must decide whether to study for the exam or to care for their patients - who need us now more than ever?
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Where is the equity for the residents who will be working in the fall and who, undoubtebly be exposed or even infected with COVID-19? They will be ineligible to write their exams. Where is the equity for them?
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I want to move on from the @Royal_College's four point plan and focus on one last area where equity was ignored today: the conduct of the actual meeting.
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The meeting was scheduled for 1 hour. The opening statements suggested that the @Royal_College executive wanted to hear from us and to understand our position.
The format of the meeting completely prevented this.
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The format of the meeting completely prevented this.
13/
@jddneary had a very short time to make his points. He really represents the voice of the majority of residents affected at this time.
In contrast, the bulk of the meeting was spent listening to the exec of the @Royal_College re-affirm their existing talking points.
14/
In contrast, the bulk of the meeting was spent listening to the exec of the @Royal_College re-affirm their existing talking points.
14/
When the time came for the Q and A, many pointed questions about equity (among other things) were ignored.
In fact, these were ignored in favour of taking a rather contrary and anti-resident question asked by previous execs.
15/
In fact, these were ignored in favour of taking a rather contrary and anti-resident question asked by previous execs.
15/
The truth is, none of this should be surprising to us.
The communication up until this point from the @Royal_College has largely consisted of:
"We hear you, we feel for you, we appreciate you; now quiet down and listen to why we're right."
16/
The communication up until this point from the @Royal_College has largely consisted of:
"We hear you, we feel for you, we appreciate you; now quiet down and listen to why we're right."
16/
And today was no exception.
So tonight, I am heading into my shift at the hospital, I am motivated by the knowledge that I have a duty to take excellent care of my patients. And I will do just that.
I only wish that the @Royal_College felt the same about us.
17/17
So tonight, I am heading into my shift at the hospital, I am motivated by the knowledge that I have a duty to take excellent care of my patients. And I will do just that.
I only wish that the @Royal_College felt the same about us.
17/17
