Diversity Recruitment in Cardiovascular Specialties: Barriers and Opportunities in Postgraduate Training Programs

Diversity in postgraduate training programs can be increased through program-based recruitment strategies. Prospective applicants often examine website content to determine if training programs are inclusive and offer a good fit. Poor overlap between program director recruitment goals and program website content as a barrier to recruiting a diverse physician workforce has not extensively been studied.

The aim of this study was to characterize barriers to recruiting a diverse physician workforce in cardiovascular specialties in the United States.

Cross-sectional survey of program directors and evaluation of website content for training programs in adult general cardiology, cardiothoracic surgery, vascular surgery, and adult cardiothoracic anesthesiology.

A total of 68 surveys were completed (response rates of 10% to 13% across specialties), and 626 websites in cardiovascular specialties were analyzed. A majority (63%) of program directors prioritized increasing diversity, although 40% of these respondents did not have a plan or resources. Program culture was cited as a barrier to recruiting a diverse workforce. The median website score for inclusion and health equity content was 4.0 out of 18.0, with a health disparities curriculum offered in <10% of websites for most specialties.

To advance diversity in cardiovascular specialties, training programs must have inclusive learning environments perceived by prospective applicants. Barriers to recruiting a diverse physician workforce may be decreased by addressing training program culture with an emphasis on modifying training program website content to attract more diverse applicant pools. Health disparities curricula are underutilized resources in cardiovascular specialties that may support recruitment of a more diverse physician workforce.