Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Programs in Health Care Institutions: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Healthcare Management
• Medical Education

Background:

• Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives are increasingly implemented in healthcare but their impact across various roles and career stages is not well understood.
• These initiatives are often politically polarizing, necessitating a clear understanding of their outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and assess the outcomes of EDI programs within healthcare institutions.
• To determine the association between EDI initiatives and key performance indicators such as workforce diversity and employee satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines was conducted, searching major databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsychINFO) from 2010 to 2023.
• Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracting data on program outcomes. A random-effects model was used for meta-analysis of relevant data.

Main Results:

• The review included 43 studies involving over 15,000 individuals, covering diverse interventions like career training, diversity representation, and research support.
• A meta-analysis of two studies indicated a significant increase in minority representation in medical residencies following EDI interventions (OR, 1.73).
• While interventions showed perceived benefits for underrepresented minorities, the overall methodological quality of included studies varied, with only 16.3% rated as high quality.

Conclusions:

• EDI initiatives in healthcare are associated with improvements in workforce diversity.
• These findings support the continued implementation of EDI programs to cultivate a more equitable and inclusive healthcare environment.
• Further research focusing on high-quality studies is needed to fully elucidate the impact of EDI initiatives.