Analysis of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives Presented Across US Academic Department of Surgery Websites in 2021

Despite increased attention devoted to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within academic medicine, representation, lack of workforce and leadership diversity, and bias within medicine remain persistent problems. The purpose of the current study was to understand the current efforts and attention to DEI within academic departments of surgery in the United States. 251 department of surgery websites were reviewed, using a standardized data collection form and scoring procedure, accompanied by a 10 percent fidelity check by an independent reviewer. Only 16% of departments of surgery included DEI-specific information, such as a DEI mission statement or initiatives on their departmental sites, with less than seven percent of departments reporting a DEI committee. Such public information may have implications for recruitment and retention of diverse faculty and trainees, downstream effects for patient care, and could be critical to public accountability to improve diversity and create a culture of equity and inclusion.

Automated summary

Despite increased attention to DEI within academic medicine, representation, lack of workforce diversity, and bias within medicine remain persistent problems. A study of surgery departments in the United States found that only 16% included DEI-specific information on their websites, and less than seven percent reported having a DEI committee. This lack of public information may have implications for recruitment, retention, and patient care.