Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Orthopaedic Surgery: Local and National Efforts.

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Medical Education
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)

Background:

• Orthopaedic surgery lags behind other surgical fields in diversity.
• There is a recognized need to address underrepresentation within the specialty.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight current initiatives aimed at enhancing DEI in orthopaedic surgery.
• To underscore the importance of these efforts for the future of the field.

Main Methods:

• Review of national orthopaedic society programs focused on DEI.
• Examination of individual residency program outreach and support strategies.
• Focus on scholarships for national meetings and away rotations for underrepresented minorities (URMs) and females.

Main Results:

• National societies offer funding for DEI research and scholarships.
• Mentorship programs and attrition mitigation strategies are being implemented.
• Residency programs are actively recruiting diverse candidates through community outreach and financial support.

Conclusions:

• Current local and national DEI efforts are crucial for fostering inclusivity in orthopaedics.
• Increased diversity among trainees and practitioners is expected to improve patient care outcomes.
• Sustained commitment to DEI is vital for the advancement of orthopaedic surgery.