How Do Plastic Surgery Program's Websites Feature Diversity and Inclusion Elements? An Analysis of 89 Integrated...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Surgical Training
• Diversity and Inclusion in Medicine

Background:

• Residency programs use websites to promote diversity and inclusion.
• Medical students, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, prioritize program culture and diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess how plastic surgery residency programs present diversity and inclusion initiatives on their websites.
• To identify common and lacking diversity elements across program websites.

Main Methods:

• Analyzed 89 integrated plastic surgery residency program websites.
• Assessed for 12 specific diversity and inclusion elements.
• Examined element presence by geographic region and program size.

Main Results:

• Programs averaged 6.32 diversity and inclusion elements.
• Most common elements: resident photos (94.4%), community resources (61.8%), faculty photos (70.8%).
• Least common elements: diversity councils (13.5%), wellness resources (40.4%), diversity statements (47.2%). Programs with 3+ positions had higher scores (p=0.002).

Conclusions:

• Quantifying diversity elements on websites offers opportunities for improvement.
• Enhanced online diversity initiatives may attract a broader range of applicants, including underrepresented minorities.