Publication
Overcoming the Barriers to Diversity in Orthopaedic Surgery
Publisher:
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Date:
28-08-2023
DOI:
10.2106/JBJS.23.00238
Abstract: Diversity in orthopaedics continues to lag behind that in other surgical specialties. This pattern exists globally and is not unique to gender or race. This review offers a global perspective on overcoming the barriers to ersity in orthopaedics. A literature search of MEDLINE and Embase was conducted and a narrative review was undertaken. Publications that discussed any aspect of ersity or solutions to ersity within orthopaedics or academic orthopaedics were identified. A total of 62 studies were included. Studies showed that ersity in orthopaedic training is limited by structural barriers such as long hours, requirements to relocate during training, training inflexibility, and a lack of exposure to orthopaedics. Implicit bias during the selection process for training, discrimination, and a lack of role models are additional barriers that are experienced by both minority and female surgeons. The global lack of ersity suggests that there are also inherent “cultural barriers” that are unique to orthopaedics however, these barriers are not uniformly experienced. Perceptions of orthopaedics as promoting an unhealthy work-life balance and the existence of a “boys’ club” must be addressed. Strong, committed leaders can embed cultural norms, support trainees, and act as visible role models. Targeted efforts to increase erse recruitment and to reduce bias in selection processes for medical school and specialty training will increase ersity in the “training pipeline.” Diversity in orthopaedics continues to lag behind that in other specialties. Increasing ersity is important for providing a more inclusive training environment, improving patient care, and reducing health disparities. Structural and cultural barriers need to be addressed to improve ersity in orthopaedics. Promoting a culture supportive of all surgeons is essential to reframing perceptions that may prevent in iduals from even considering a career as an orthopaedic surgeon. Changing attitudes require focused efforts from committed leadership in a “top-down” approach that prioritizes ersity. The efforts from national bodies seeking to tackle the lack of ersity, as well as the establishment of organizations committed to ersity, such as the International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance, provide reasons to be optimistic for the future.