When I say ... diversity

• Published in: Medical education Vol. 54; no. 10; pp. 876 - 877
• Main Authors: Chiavaroli, Neville, Blitz, Julia, Cleland, Jennifer
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01-10-2020
• Subjects: Advantaged; Diversity (Student); Equal education; Higher education; Medical education; Social justice
• ISSN: 0308-0110; 1365-2923
• DOI: 10.1111/medu.14299

Diversity has become an important term in medical education, impacting on curriculum design, selection policies and school culture. For some, it may have acquired the status of a 'god term', an essential concept that influences and guides educational practice, yet may also be used as a 'rhetorical absolute', as has been suggested for the term 'competence' in medical education. This positioning recognises the significance of diversity as a concept. However, it may also do as much disservice as would resistance or scepticism, as it does not encourage the necessary 'unpacking' of the complexity and evolution of diversity as a key educational idea.The authors explore the meanings, significance, implications of the term 'diversity', arguing this crucial concept needs to be understood contextually, critically. [Author abstract]