Lahia Yemane, MD

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The Stanford Pediatrics Advancing Anti-Racism Coalition (SPAARC) was created to promote a culture of anti-racism through immediate action, development of nimble systems, and longitudinal commitment towards equity.OBJECTIVE: Evaluate gaps in the Stanford Department of Pediatrics (DoP) efforts to advance anti-racism and form a coalition of faculty, staff, and trainees to prioritize, design, and implement targeted activities with immediate and long-term measurable outcomes.METHODS: A needs assessment was conducted across all DoP members in July-August 2020 to identify gaps in anti-racism efforts. Listening sessions were recorded and transcribed to extrapolate key themes and two rounds of consensus surveys were done to identify and prioritize actions. Actions teams were created and co-led by faculty-staff dyads with trainee representation. A final activity survey was conducted in January 2021 to determine the specific activities (i.e., interventions) each team would design and implement.RESULTS: Ten small group listening sessions (70 participants) and three surveys (1005 responses) led to the creation of seven action teams with associated activities (1) training (2) community engagement and research (3) communication (4) faculty and staff recruitment and advancement (5) leadership representation (6) human resources, and (7) staff engagement. 443 (41%) DoP members were directly involved in SPAARC through participation in the needs assessment, action teams, and/or implementation of activities.CONCLUSION: SPAARC can serve as an adaptable framework for how a DoP can create a coalition to identify gaps in anti-racism efforts and create and implement targeted activities with associated outcomes.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.acap.2022.10.003

View details for PubMedID 36216211

View details for DOI 10.4300/JGME-D-21-01015.1

View details for PubMedID 35754647

View details for PubMedCentralID PMC9200241

View details for Web of Science ID 000832839400025

Abstract

Health inequities disproportionately impact children of color in the United States. Research demonstrates that a diverse physician workforce that reflects the demographic profile of the United States population has been associated with better health outcomes and physicians of color are more likely to work in communities that are medically underserved. Therefore, a key driver to reducing health inequities is recruiting a physician workforce that reflects the racial/ethnic composition of the population. Although efforts on increasing UIM applicants and matriculants into medical school and more recently, graduate medical education (GME) programs have shown some small successes, there has still not been significant change in decades. This narrative review examined the historical trends and current landscape of recruitment in GME to better understand the barriers and facilitators that continue to exist and identify successful interventions that might serve as a model to support recruitment of UIM applicants. There is evidence for racial disparities and bias in traditional residency selection metrics (USMLE, Clerkship Evaluations, MSPE, AOA status, etc.) and a need for more holistic recruitment strategies. Along with implementing new holistic recruitment practices, there is a need for ongoing research and collaboration to study inclusive and equitable learning environments and assessments that will eliminate racial disparities in educational outcomes. Additionally, there must be better longitudinal data utilization and transparency across Electronic Residency Application Services (ERAS) and National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) for accountability and tracking of interventions.

View details for DOI 10.1016/j.cppeds.2021.101088

View details for PubMedID 34742662

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A diverse pediatric workforce reflecting the racial/ethnic representation of the US population is an important factor in eliminating health inequities. Studies reveal minimal improvements over time in the proportions of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) physicians; however, studies assessing trends in pediatric URiM trainee representation are limited. Our objective was to evaluate longitudinal trends in racial/ethnic representation among a cross-section of US pediatric trainees and to compare it to the US population.METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional study of graduate medical education census data on self-reported race/ethnicity of pediatric residents and subspecialty fellows from 2007 to 2019. To evaluate trends in URiM proportions over time , the Cochran-Armitage test was performed. Data on self-reported race/ethnicity of trainees were compared with the general population data over time by using US Census Bureau data.RESULTS: Trends in URiM proportions were unchanged in residents (16% in 2007 to 16.5% in 2019; P = .98) and, overall, decreased for fellows (14.2% in 2007 to 13.5% in 2019; P = .002). URiM fellow trends significantly decreased over time in neonatal-perinatal medicine (P < .001), infectious diseases (P < .001), and critical care (P = .006) but significantly increased in endocrinology (P = .002) and pulmonology (P = .009). Over time, the percentage of URiM pediatric trainee representation was considerably lower compared to the US population.CONCLUSIONS: The continued underrepresentation of URiM pediatric trainees may perpetuate persistent health inequities for minority pediatric populations. There is a critical need to recruit and retain pediatric URiM residents and subspecialty fellows.

View details for DOI 10.1542/peds.2020-026666

View details for PubMedID 34131043

View details for DOI 10.4300/JGME-D-21-00235.1