A University of Maryland course titled “Decolonizing Medicine: Steps to Actionable Change” is raising concerns among physicians who warn that political ideology is being prioritized over science in medical education. Critics argue the class reframes healthcare through racial and colonial theories rather than focusing on evidence-based training essential for patient care.
The one-credit undergraduate course, offered at the University of Maryland, examines medicine as a product of colonialism and challenges traditional medical frameworks. According to the course description, Western medicine is presented as centering “the White body” as a default while marginalizing indigenous healing practices. Students are instructed to study medicine as a “tool of empire,” analyze colonial surveillance, and explore racialized and LGBTQ+ healthcare outcomes in post-colonial societies. Coursework includes weekly reflections, written assignments, and an ethnographic research project tied to these themes.
Medical professionals interviewed by The College Fix voiced concern that the class places ideology ahead of biological science. Dr. Jane Orient, head of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, warned that portraying medicine through an oppressor-versus-oppressed framework distorts its purpose. She argued that modern medicine’s progress is rooted in scientific discovery and ethical standards, not political activism.
Dr. Kurt Miceli, medical director at Do No Harm, said identity-based approaches risk training future doctors to see patients as representatives of groups rather than individuals with specific medical needs. He cautioned that such thinking could weaken clinical judgment and undermine patient trust.
The course is not required, but critics say its inclusion reflects a broader trend in higher education toward politicizing professional fields. Physicians argue medical education must remain grounded in objective science and the ethical obligation to provide equal care to every patient.
