Linda Suleiman, MD, FAAOS | Aaron Brandt, MD
July 27, 2023
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Orthopaedic Surgery remains one of the least diverse specialties. As our specialty continues to evolve, it becomes increasingly essential for orthopaedic surgeons to recognize and embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within our profession. By fostering an inclusive environment, we will begin to attract the best and brightest medical students from diverse backgrounds to improve patient outcomes and improve equity in the delivery of our care. In this article, we will explore a framework to champion DEI in orthopaedic surgery.
1Establishing Inclusive Residency Recruitment Practices
One of the first steps in promoting DEI in orthopaedic surgery is by creating inclusive recruitment and retention best practices. This involves a holistic review of applications from an equity lens. It’s imperative to understand an individual’s lived experiences that may serve to enhance the quality of care provided to our patients. It is also imperative to diversify interview and selection committee members. A diverse panel can provide varied perspectives and contribute to fair and unbiased candidate evaluations.
2Cultivating a Supportive and Inclusive Work Environment
Creating a supportive and inclusive work environment is critical to fostering diversity in orthopaedic surgery. This can be achieved by promoting open communication, mutual respect, and collaboration amongst the surgical team. Encouraging diversity of thought and providing opportunities for professional growth and mentorship will empower all team members to reach their full potential.
3Implementing Bias Training and Cultural Competency
Bias training and cultural competency workshops are imperative in raising awareness of our individual unconscious biases, helping us better understand patients’ diverse perspectives and improving patient-physician interactions. When we as orthopaedic surgeons are more aware and understanding of other perspectives, we can better build a relationship of trust, improve communication, and lead to better health outcomes.
4Engaging in Outreach and Education
Engaging in outreach programs in our communities can encourage underrepresented groups to consider a career in orthopaedic surgery. This also allows orthopaedic surgeons to extend our impact beyond the clinical setting. By taking proactive steps to educate, support, and empower communities, we can make a significant difference in improving musculoskeletal health and patient outcomes.
Championing diversity, equity and inclusion in orthopaedic surgery is not just a moral imperative; but also a strategic approach to advancing our specialty. By embracing DEI principles, orthopaedic surgeons can create a more inclusive environment, improve patient care, and inspire the next generation of medical students.
DISCLOSURES: Dr. Suleiman serves on the Northwestern Faculty and as a Depuy consultant. Dr. Brandt This individual reported nothing to disclose.
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