🌍✨ Insights from the British Association of Dermatologists Conference in Manchester: Advancing Diversity in Dermatology ✨🌍
Last week, I had the privilege of attending the BAD Conference in Manchester, where I gained valuable insights from several presentations on the crucial topic of diversity in dermatology. It was an honour to learn from esteemed experts Dr Jonathan Ho, Lecturer and Consultant Dermatologist/Dermatopathologist at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica; Professor Susan Taylor, Dermatologist, Vice Chair Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Department of Dermatology, Philadelphia; and Dr Misha Rosenbach, Associate Professor of Dermatology and Internal Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
My key takeaways included:
🔍 Diversity in Research Teams and Study Populations: The presentations emphasised the importance of including diverse populations in dermatological research (teams and study populations). Ensuring representation across different ethnicities and backgrounds leads to more comprehensive and applicable findings, ultimately improving patient care globally.
🤝 True North-South Collaboration: A recurring theme was the necessity of genuine collaboration with local researchers. Genuine collaboration involves recognising and valuing the contributions of researchers and physicians from resource-poor countries, ensuring they are not just participants but active contributors to global healthcare studies.
I am particularly excited to link these learnings to the work I am currently involved in with the Global Healthcare Study on Psoriasis (GHSP). Our research is meticulously designed and conducted to ensure that countries with limited resources, researchers, and communities can participate and are integral to the study.
Special acknowledgement goes to the GHSP Principal Investigator, Priv.-Doz. Dr. med. Julia-Tatjana Maul, an eminent female dermatologist and researcher leading our team, who is committed to and exemplifies the importance of diverse and inclusive research teams.
I am super proud to work with the GHSP team on a project that strives to ensure that all voices are not only heard but are active participants in the ‘dance’ of global dermatological research discovery! 🙌
The analogy by Verna Myers really resonated with me “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” 🕺💃
If you would like any further information about the GHSP and its upcoming expansion to include #atopic dermatitis and #hidradenitis suppurativa, please don't hesitate to connect with me on LinkedIn, or via my email: r.swan@dermastudy.org
#DiversityInDermatology #GlobalHealth #GHSP #NorthSouthCollaboration #InclusiveResearch #BADConference2024 #PsoriasisResearch #EquityInHealthcare
CEO at International Psoriasis Council
3wCongratulations Rebekah!