SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Teaching Targeted Universalism to Promote Belonging Amongst Healthcare Professionals

Pdf Summary

This document summarizes a session on teaching <strong>Targeted Universalism (TU)</strong> to healthcare professionals as a way to promote belonging and reduce exclusion caused by bias. TU is presented as a framework that aims to raise all groups toward a shared goal while recognizing that different groups face different barriers and therefore need different strategies.

The session was a <strong>half-day in-person workshop</strong> where participants learned TU concepts, discussed inclusive practices in a welcoming environment, and practiced the first step of TU: <strong>co-creating a universal goal</strong>. Participants also completed optional post-session surveys with free-text responses.

Key ideas in TU include:
- developing <strong>targeted strategies</strong> for each group,
- using <strong>bridging messaging</strong> and stories,
- co-creating a <strong>universal goal</strong>,
- assessing both <strong>supportive and blocking structures</strong>,
- evaluating how different groups are performing relative to the goal.

The co-created goals produced three main themes: <strong>respect and trust</strong>, <strong>self-awareness and advocacy</strong>, and <strong>collaborative decision-making</strong>. The poster also highlights broader TU principles such as <strong>critical consciousness</strong>, <strong>both/and thinking</strong>, and the belief that multiple strategies can work together rather than competing with one another.

Results showed that <strong>11 of 18 participants</strong> completed the survey. By the end of the session, participants reported being <strong>moderately able</strong> to define TU terminology and co-create a universal goal. The conclusion is that teaching TU can strengthen <strong>community and belonging</strong> among healthcare professionals, offering a practical and structured way to build connection, surface barriers, and center marginalized groups while benefiting everyone.

Asset Subtitle

Yalda Shahram

Meta Tag

Author List Asal Bastani, Ashley Gordon, Yalda Shahram

Category Innovations

Concept Targeted Universalism

Concept Common aspiration point

Concept Marginalized Populations

Concept Shared goal

Concept Structural Barrier

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of California, San Francisco

Presenting Author Yalda Shahram

Track Education

Keywords

Targeted Universalism

healthcare professionals

belonging

inclusion

bias reduction

universal goal

targeted strategies

bridging messaging

collaborative decision-making

critical consciousness

Targeted Universalism

Common aspiration point

Marginalized Populations

Shared goal

Structural Barrier