Name
Training for Change: Addressing Communication with Marginalized Clinicians
Description

Training and education are paramount in addressing disparities in healthcare; however, there are few opportunities for individualized feedback on culturally humble and affirming communication that lay a foundation of trust and security for patients and colleagues from marginalized backgrounds. This presentation describes the role of the University of Rochester Medical Center Communication Coaching & Leadership Development Program in addressing physician communication within three marginalized populations: clinicians with disability, aging clinicians, and women of color clinicians navigating leadership and supervisory roles within healthcare teams. The presenters will overview the coaching program and highlight three case examples to illustrate program impact on skill enhancement with physician learners, leaders, and teams. These cases highlight how intersectional identities including race, gender, age, ability, and professional role—shape communication dynamics within healthcare teams. Participants will engage in small groups with presenters to discuss specific strategies that build insight into implicit bias, strengthen inclusive leadership communication, and support the professional growth of marginalized clinicians.

Content Level
All Audience
Tags
Cultural Safety and Humility, Social justice or DEI, Workforce development
Session Type
Concurrent
Objective 1
Describe the core structure and goals of the University of Rochester Medical Center Communication Coaching & Leadership Development Program.
Objective 2
Identify how a communication coaching program can support general communication strategies that improve insight and inclusive communication.
Objective 3
Apply coaching strategies that promote culturally humble and inclusive communication to improve trust, team relationships, and workforce inclusivity.
Content Reference 1

Shamaskin-Garroway, A., DeCaporale-Ryan, L., Bell, K., & McDaniel, S. (2022). Physician Communication Coaching: How Psychologists can Elevate Skills and Support Resident Education, Professionalism, and Well-being. Journal of clinical psychology in medical settings, 29(3), 608–615. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-021-09808-x

Content Reference 2

American Medical Association. Experiences of Ageism Among Senior Physicians: A Qualitative Study. Accessed March 9, 2026. https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/senior-physician-ageism-report.pdf American Medical Association | AMA +2

Content Reference 3

Okoro O, Umaru O, Ray M. Women of color in the health professions: A scoping review of the literature. Pharmacy (Basel). 2024 Feb 7;12(1):29. doi: 10.3390/pharmacy12010029. PMID: 38392936; PMCID: PMC10893211.

Content Reference 4

Binkley, C. E., Reynolds, J. M., & Shuman, A. (2022). From the Eyeball Test to the Algorithm - Quality of Life, Disability Status, and Clinical Decision Making in Surgery. The New England journal of medicine, 387(14), 1325–1328. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMms2207408