Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity in Academic Family Medicine

Authors

Christine K. Jacobs, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.
Montgomery Douglas, Department of Family and Community Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY.
Paul Ravenna, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL.
Elisabeth Wilson, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Maine Medical Center, Portland, ME.
Cleveland Piggott, Department of Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO.
Timothy Chrusciel, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO.
Harry Strothers, Department of Family Medicine, Mercer University School of Medicine, Savannah, GA.

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2022

Institution/Department

Family Medicine

Journal Title

Family medicine

MeSH Headings

Academic Medical Centers; Family Practice; Health Equity; Humans; Social Justice; Surveys and Questionnaires

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Diversity, inclusion, and health equity (DIHE) are integral to the practice of family medicine. Academic family medicine has been grappling with these issues in recent years, particularly with a focus on racism and health inequity. We studied the current state of DIHE activities in academic family medicine departments and suggest a framework for departments to become more diverse, inclusive, antiracist, and focused on health equity and racial justice. METHODS: As part of a larger annual membership survey, family medicine department chairs were asked for their assessment of departmental DIHE and antioppression activities, and infrastructure and resources committed to increasing DIHE. RESULTS: More than 60% of family medicine department chairs participating in this study rate their departments highly in promoting DIHE and antioppression, and 66% of chairs report an institutional infrastructure that is working well. Just over half of departments or institutions have had a climate survey in the past 3 years, 47.3% of departments have a diversity officer, and 26% of departments provide protected time or resources for a diversity officer. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of family medicine department chairs rate their departments highly on DIHE. However, only 50% of departments have formally assessed climate in the past 3 years, fewer have diversity officers, and even fewer invest resources in their diversity officers. This disconnect should motivate academic family medicine departments to undertake formal self-assessment and implement a strategic plan that includes resource investment in DIHE, measurable outcomes, and sustainability.

First Page

259

Last Page

263

Recommended Citation

Jacobs CK, Douglas M, Ravenna P, et al. Diversity, Inclusion, and Health Equity in Academic Family Medicine. Fam Med. 2022;54(4):259-263. doi:10.22454/FamMed.2022.419971