Recruiting, Supporting and Retaining Diversity in Hand Surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Specialties
• Health Equity

Background:

• Hand surgery, like many surgical fields, faces significant underrepresentation in terms of sex/gender and race.
• This lack of diversity is evident at all professional levels, from surgical trainees to established practicing physicians.
• Existing literature highlights persistent diversity deficits without providing concrete solutions for recruitment and retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the critical need for a practical guide to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within hand surgery.
• To provide actionable recommendations for the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups in the field.
• To contribute to the development of a more just and equitable hand surgery workforce.

Main Methods:

• This article synthesitsizes current data on diversity in surgical fields.
• It reviews existing challenges in recruitment and retention strategies.
• Actionable items and considerations for implementing DEI initiatives are proposed.

Main Results:

• Identified a consistent and stark lack of diversity in sex/gender and race in hand surgery.
• Highlighted the absence of comprehensive guides for effective recruitment and retention strategies.
• Proposed a framework of actionable items tailored for hand surgery practices.

Conclusions:

• Achieving a diverse and equitable hand surgery workforce requires deliberate and sustained effort.
• Implementing targeted recruitment and retention strategies is crucial for addressing existing disparities.
• This work provides a foundational guide for institutions committed to fostering a more inclusive hand surgery community.