A Novel Postgraduate Diversity in Medical Education (DiME) Leadership Programme

Reduced retention and progression amongst ethnic minority staff is severely disrupting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) within healthcare with negative impacts on patient care. There is a lack of diversity in postgraduate leadership roles with systemic issues and insufficient support. To help address these issues at an individual level, we developed the Diversity in Medical Education (DiME) programme that aims to close the gap between ethnic minority individuals and training programme director (TPD) positions.

Over 6 months, the programme consisted of a series of learning days on action learning sets and effective meetings, mock interviews with associate deans, networking events, mentoring, access to coaching and subsequently forming a peer network. Participants were recruited from a wide range of primary and secondary care specialties and ethnic minority backgrounds.

A qualitative evaluation was undertaken. Lessons learned included providing protected time to participate in professional development, facilitating flexibility of opportunities and enhancing understanding and encouragement for individuals to progress as an ethnic minority leader. Interviews revealed programme benefits, barriers and challenges participants faced in reaching leadership positions and suggested recommendations to enhance DiME. Benefits included the development of technical and non-technical skills, feeling valued and supported, and peer networking.

DiME is a novel postgraduate programme to support ethnic minority TPDs in overcoming barriers to leadership positions through building networks and sharing valuable skills. Systemic and institutional barriers impede ethnic minority individuals reaching senior leadership positions, yet this initiative provides a small step through the implementation of an innovative programme.