Position Statement on Diversity, Inclusion & Equity

Executive Summary

The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) recognises and supports diversity and inclusion in our members and within its sphere of influence. The College opposes discrimination in all its forms and strongly supports the need for diverse representation across our organisation. We are committed to achieving diversity across the College, enhancing cultural competency in our Members, and improving our ability to provide inclusive Medical Leadership across the health system.

Background

In this position statement, diversity references a broad range of individual, population, and social characteristics, including but not limited to age, sex, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, family structures, geographic locations, national origin, immigrants and refugees, language, physical, functional, and learning abilities, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status.

Inclusiveness represents environmental and organisational cultures in which members and the wider community have diverse characteristics and are able to thrive. Inclusive environments require an intentionality to embrace differences and not merely tolerate them. Everyone works to ensure that perspectives and experiences of others, are invited, welcomed, acknowledged, and respected within inclusive environments.

Ultimately the goal of the College is to overcome the many obstacles and challenges to achieving inclusiveness. To overcome these challenges, we must ensure that all people are treated fairly, unhampered by artificial barriers, stereotypes or prejudices. Medical leaders need to examine any unconscious, conscious and systemic biases, which may undermine efforts to enhance diversity, inclusion, and equity. This includes the use of everyday verbal, nonverbal, intentional, or non- intentional messages which can devalue the perspectives, experiences, and/or feelings of individuals or groups. As these biases, may impact the College’s ability to attract and retain a more diverse membership, and recruit and promote diverse medical leaders and support staff.

Call to Action

The Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) has the focus on advancing diversity, inclusion and equity by endorsing the following core values:

1. Creating an inclusive culture within the College – supporting a culturally safe environment, ensuring equitable systems and policies, and promoting competency models for diversity and inclusion that will maximise the opportunities and experiences for members.
2. Achieving equity in medical leadership – promoting growth, advancement and inclusion to increase the diversity in healthcare leadership and addressing the underrepresentation of minority groups in senior leadership positions within the College.
3. Advancing equitable access in healthcare – ensuring that College members are well prepared to meet the needs of individuals in an increasingly diverse society, by raising awareness and addressing unconscious bias and taking action to address the social determinants of health.