Evaluation of Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion on Canadian Plastic Surgery Residency Program Websites

Introduction: Equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are increasingly recognized as essential to medical education. Although Canadian medical schools have advanced EDI efforts, gaps persist in postgraduate training, including plastic surgery. In the context of virtual recruitment, residency websites function as key reflections of program values. This study assesses the visibility of EDI-related content on Canadian plastic surgery residency program websites. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional content analysis of all 14 plastic surgery programs participating in the 2026 CaRMS match. Program websites, CaRMS profiles, and CANPREPP pages were reviewed (August-September 2025). EDI content was assessed using 8 binary criteria adapted from Cummings et al. Two reviewers independently evaluated each site. Descriptive statistics summarized EDI scores overall and by region, language, and local visible minority population. Results: The mean number of EDI criteria met was 0.43 (SD = 0.76), ranging from 0 to 5. Only 1 program met more than 1 criterion. Twelve programs fulfilled zero criteria. The most common elements included standalone EDI statements (n = 2), followed by isolated mentions in mission statements, dedicated pages, or appointed leadership (n = 1 each). No programs displayed underrepresented minority-specific supports, EDI-related video content, or transgender-inclusive messaging. Stratified findings showed slightly higher scores in Anglophone programs (0.55) and cities with >30% visible minority populations (1.00), though overall representation remained limited. Conclusion: Canadian plastic surgery residency program websites show sparse and inconsistent EDI representation. Strengthening online EDI communication is critical to promoting equitable recruitment and diversity in surgical education.