A Call for Action – Understanding Systemic Racism in Perinatal and Reproductive Healthcare Environments

The Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM) in partnership with the University of Toronto is conducting an Ontario-based research project supported by the HIROC Foundation’s Safety Grants Program to explore the impacts of systemic racism in perinatal and reproductive healthcare environments.
What is the Goal of This Study?
This study aims to understand systemic racism and systems factors that contribute to inequity and disparity in outcomes for patients, providers, and community members. By supporting healthcare organizations to review and implement anti-racism policies and procedures, this research aims to improve patients’ experiences and satisfaction with care by addressing systemic racism in healthcare and supporting healthcare workers and staff to provide culturally sensitive, respectful, and safe, quality patient services.
Additionally, this study aims to support the psychological safety of healthcare workers who are Indigenous, Black and People of Colour (IBPOC). The study also hopes to improve equity in the recruitment, retention, and leadership advancement of IBPOC providers, by creating organizational systems that promote safe, equitable, and healthy work environments.
Who Can Participate in the Study?
Participants should be healthcare workers or administrative staff in an Ontario hospital or community clinic providing perinatal and reproductive services.
If I Participate, What Am I Being Asked To Do?
You are being asked to participate in a survey that will take approximately 30 minutes to complete. You may also indicate interest in participating in a one-on-one interview, which will take approximately 30-45 minutes to complete virtually. The survey questions will focus on your lived experiences with racism, discrimination, or stereotyping as they pertain to your relationships with patients, healthcare workers, or administrative staff. The survey is anonymous. Both the survey and the one-on-one interviews are confidential, only the aggregate results and anonymized quotes will be reported.
A Call for Action – How You Can Help
For healthcare workers or administrative staff in an Ontario hospital or community clinic providing perinatal and reproductive services, see below to express interest:
To learn more about the study or for questions, contact Feben Aseffa, Principal Investigator at [email protected] or Dr. Myrtede Alfred, Co-Investigator at [email protected]. This study will close on February 14, 2025.
Feben Aseffa is Director, Health-Care Equity, Quality and Human Rights at the Association of Ontario Midwives (AOM).
The HIROC Safety Grants Program supports healthcare safety through seed funding for applied research and innovation. The grants are exclusively for HIROC Subscribers. Stay tuned for details about the 2025 program which will outline grant application information, key dates, safety themes, and topics.