Diversity and Inclusion in Orthopaedic Surgery from Medical School to Practice: AOA Critical Issues

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Specialties
• Diversity and Inclusion

Background:

• Orthopaedic surgery in the U.S. faces persistent, critical issues with a lack of diversity and inclusion.
• Despite recognition by the American Orthopaedic Association, underrepresentation remains a significant problem across all metrics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a comprehensive, multiyear, and multilevel strategy to enhance diversity and inclusion in orthopaedic surgery.
• To address the loss of underrepresented individuals at each career progression stage, from medical school to leadership.

Main Methods:

• Advocating for early identification and exposure of diverse talent to orthopaedics.
• Emphasizing nurturing, mentorship, sponsorship, and retention strategies throughout a surgeon's career lifecycle.
• Challenging the focus solely on resident selection and promoting interventions at the medical student level.

Main Results:

• Broadening the candidate selection pool at each educational and professional level is essential for improving representation.
• Loss of underrepresented applicants occurs at each progression point (medical school, residency, fellowship, employment).
• Longitudinal action and reinvestment in individuals are critical for mitigating diversity loss.

Conclusions:

• A paradigm shift is needed, initiating diversity efforts at the medical student level with early exposure and mentorship.
• Deliberate and sustained action across all career stages is vital for achieving balanced representation in orthopaedic surgery.
• Enhanced diversity will foster a richer future for the field of orthopaedics.