Toward Trauma-Informed Pedagogy: An Intersectional Analysis of Pimping in Medical Education

Trigger warnings as tools for learning-theorising an evolving cultural concept

BACKGROUND

While definitions of trigger warnings vary, it is generally accepted that they caution about potential reactions arising from exposure to distressing material. Controversy surrounds use of warnings in education, with concerns noted regarding impacts on academic freedom, "coddling", thereby undermining resilience, reinforcement of traumatised identity and enablement of avoidance. Proponents of warnings position them as accommodations for those affected by trauma, enhancing inclusion, and suggest warnings empower choice and enable informed engagement in learning. A recent meta-analysis of warnings' efficacy demonstrated no effect on affective responses or comprehension. Findings regarding avoidance suggested warnings may increase engagement with material. Synthesis of heterogeneous results relating to context of warning application necessitates cautious interpretation of findings. Furthermore, controlled experimental designs do not reflect complex ecologies of social learning environments.

METHODS

Evidence relating to warnings in healthcare professions education remains limited. We undertake a narrative review and synthesis of evidence regarding the role and functions of trigger warnings from a range of disciplines, to inform healthcare education practice. We apply this evidence in considering how warnings may act within a range of theoretical frameworks for healthcare professionals educations including andragogy, self-directed learning and, ultimately, transformative learning. Tensions between exposure to emotionally stimulating learning episodes and the necessity of emotion for learning while simultaneously attending to learners' needs and fulfilling educators' responsibilities are explored. We probe gaps and contentions in existing theoretical frameworks for learning, and consider implications of recognised limitations with reference to warnings. We summarise by proposing a conceptual model for the role of warnings that considers wider salient factors for fostering effective learning.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

Difficulties associated with deriving contextually-relevant evidence and conclusions relating to warnings as an evolving cultural concept are highlighted. We propose warnings as tools to enable critical reflection and emotional literacy, to curate effective learning environments and support humanistic healthcare professional identity formation, within wider trauma-informed pedagogies and educator practice.

It is Challenging to Shift the Norm: Exploring how to Anticipate and Address Microaggressions in Clinical Learning Environments

Purpose

Increased attention to improving a culture of belonging in clinical learning environments has led to various approaches to addressing microaggressions. However, most approaches in the literature focus on responding or reacting to microaggressions with insufficient attention to building trust before microaggressions might occur. Research on microaggressions in clinical learning environments suggests anticipatory or pre-emptive conversations about microaggressions may foster greater trust. In this study, the authors explored how diverse participants perceived the experience of anticipatory conversations about potential microaggressions. Overall, the authors sought to gain a deeper understanding of how pre-emptive and anticipatory conversations may influence an organization's approach to addressing microaggressions in clinical learning environments.

Methods

The authors utilized constructivist grounded theory methodology and conducted individual qualitative interviews with 21 participants in an academic department within a larger health sciences center in the United States.

Results

Findings suggest that anticipatory conversations about microaggressions were challenging due to existing norms in dynamic clinical learning and working environments. Participants shared that the idea of anticipating microaggressions elicited dissonance. Conversations about microaggressions could potentially be facilitated through leaders who role model vulnerability, organizational supports, and an individualized approach for each team member and their role within a complex hierarchical organization.

Discussion

Anticipating and addressing microaggressions in clinical learning environments holds tremendous potential, however, any conversations about personal identity remain challenging in medical and healthcare environments. This study suggests that any attempts to address microaggressions requires attention to cultural norms within healthcare environments and the ways that hierarchical organizations can constrain individual agency.