Residency Program Websites: Signs of Diversity and Inclusion
By Jean Shaw
Selected and reviewed by Neil M. Bressler, MD, and Deputy Editors
Journal Highlights
JAMA Ophthalmology, June 2022
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Ledesma Vicioso et al. evaluated U.S. ophthalmology program websites for information on diversity or inclusion. They found that this information is lacking on most program websites.
For this quality improvement study, the researchers included a cross-sectional review of ophthalmology program websites. The websites were reviewed for the presence of six predetermined diversity or inclusion information criteria, and the study was conducted in mid-2021.
The criteria, modeled after those implemented in previously published literature, were as follows: 1) evidence of commitment to, or value toward, diversity (i.e., in a message from the program director or department chair); 2) a separate diversity mission statement; 3) mention of rotations or fellowship opportunities for underrepresented minority medical students; 4) mention of diversity initiatives; 5) a web page or section on diversity; and 6) mention of diversity leadership positions.
Of the 121 U.S. program websites reviewed, 29 (24%) met at least one of the six criteria. Programs with more than 12 residents, as well as those programs ranked within the top 20 best hospitals for ophthalmology (as determined by the US News & World Report), were more likely to have at least one of the criteria on their website. Of note, 53 of the websites (44%) mentioned that their residency program offers trainees the opportunity to care for a diverse population.
In discussing the results, the authors noted that “these findings suggest that there is a gap in the information that prospective applicants can collect when evaluating ophthalmology residency program websites.” (Also see related commentary by Russell S. Gonnering, MD, MMM, in the same issue.)
The original article can be found here.