Advancing Equity: Understanding, Addressing, and Mitigating Bias in Assessment in Medical Education

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Equity
• Academic Medicine

Background:

• Despite increased diversity, women and underrepresented groups in academic medicine still face significant disparities.
• These disparities are evident in learning and assessment environments, impacting career progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine gender and racial biases within academic medicine's assessment and learning environments.
• To propose a framework for mitigating these biases and fostering a more equitable environment.

Main Methods:

• Literature review focusing on subjective clinical narrative assessments.
• Analysis of existing research, including studies in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN).

Main Results:

• Persistent gender and racial biases identified in subjective clinical narrative assessments.
• Evidence of inequitable learning environments impacting diverse groups.

Conclusions:

• Addressing biases in assessment and learning environments is crucial for achieving equity in academic medicine.
• A two-pronged approach involving environmental enhancement and targeted recommendations is proposed for effective change.