In this Q&A, Dr. Trudy McFarlane talks about her role, how she will work to meet the needs of Black learners and communities, and how the School of Medicine is changing medical education. The interview was originally published by Alumni Relations in February 2024.
What is the role of the Black Health Lead with the School of Medicine?
As the Black Health Lead, I am a member of the School of Medicine’s senior leadership team and executive committee. This allows for decision-making impact at the highest level. This role is essential to ensuring the guidance and implementation of anti-racist initiatives, with a particular focus on anti-Black racism.
The goal is to establish a long-term strategy and action plan to address anti-Black racism through all facets of the School of Medicine, which includes admissions, curriculum, collaborating with various TMU faculty/schools/departments, and fostering relationships with Black communities and organizations. To emphasize our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion we seek to engage internal and external interest-holders to participate in Black Health & Flourishing Advisory committees.
What are the challenges Black and racialized medical school students face, and how will TMU’s School of Medicine be different?
Black and racialized medical students may experience various challenges as they matriculate through their medical education/program. I will highlight a few:
- Some everyday experiences might stem from a lack of representation in medical school, educators, leadership and within the curriculum.
- Unequal access to resources and supports such as mentorship, coaching, professional development, and contribution to and participation in scholarly/scholarly-like activities.
- Experience of racism, discrimination and microaggressions, which can negatively impact learner experiences and success, academically and personally.
- Financial barriers to pursuing a second degree are often related to systemic inequities and social determinants of health.
The School of Medicine at TMU recognizes that simply increasing the number of students from underrepresented communities is one step forward. However, we will also be intentional and committed to ensuring a holistic approach to admissions, curriculum and overall learner experience before, during and after their undergraduate medical education.
There are many barriers Black, racialized and equity-deserving patients face within the health system. How will training doctors with a focus on equity impact patient care?
Equity significantly impacts patient care. This may manifest in various ways, particularly concerning access to health-care services and improved quality of care. Focusing on equity helps physicians and health-care providers identify and address barriers to care for underserved communities.
Considering the social determinants of health, providers may be able to advocate for proactive and preventative health interventions to reduce health disparities early on. Increased representation amongst physicians will influence representation in decision-making spaces and contribute to more inclusive health-care policies, practices and procedures.
Additionally, this will help develop cultural-sensitivity to provide safe and responsive care, facilitating a holistic approach to patient care. The downstream effect will further reduce health disparities and improve patient and physician experiences and outcomes.
What do you hope the future of the medical field in Canada will look like?
My best hope for the impact of this role and the future of medicine includes leaving a legacy of meaningful, transformative and sustainable systemic change that positively impacts the experiences of Black, racialized and other equity-deserving medical learners, patients, faculty and staff alike for generations to come.
I hope that the School of Medicine will recruit, train and retain cohorts of diverse learners representative of the communities we serve. I envision medical education that remains committed to dismantling anti-Black racism and continues to challenge the status quo. I envision strong community relationships, amplifying their presence, voice and influence in advocating for the community’s needs.
Finally, I hope for a culture of community and belonging built on the foundation of equity, diversity and inclusivity that will endure beyond my tenure for many generations to come.
Can you share how representation has made a significant impact in the Black community?
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was part of a partnership between Peel Public Health and the Black Physicians Association of Ontario working with the Black, African and Caribbean community in Peel. Black community members saw healthcare professionals who looked like them – who understood their lived experiences and cultural realities, which helped build trust during a time of uncertainty.
Given historical and ongoing harms, providing culturally responsive care was crucial. For many, the representation and development of trust, influenced or supported their healthcare decisions or management of their concerns, contributing to improved community outcomes.
Dr. Trudy McFarlane, Black Health Lead at TMU’s School of Medicine, is a family physician, Physician/GP psychotherapist and medical consultant. She is an Assistant Clinical Professor and co-medical lead with Peel Public Health’s Black, African, Caribbean Communities Action-Planning and Strategy Committees. Dr. McFarlane also serves as a representative of the Black Physicians of Canada, as a co-chair/founder of the Black Physicians of Nova Scotia and a member of the Black Physicians Association of Ontario.
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