Strategies and Barriers for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Antiracism Work in Family Medicine Departments: A CERA Study.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Medical schools and family medicine organizations have been working on advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and antiracism (DEIA). Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) faculty members are disproportionately expected to lead DEIA initiatives, negatively affecting academic promotion and well-being. Our study aimed to describe the existing DEIA initiatives, strategies, and barriers to implementing support for DEIA work, as well as the implications of addressing the minority tax in US and Canadian family medicine departments.

Methods: We used data collected as a part of the 2023 Council of Academic Family Medicine Educational Research Alliance (CERA) study. The survey was delivered to 227 department chairs across the United States and Canada.

Results: The survey response rate was 50.2% (114/227). Sixty-two percent of the respondents strongly agreed that advancing DEIA was important, and 55.4% reported having a DEIA leader, with 75.4% of those positions reportedly held by BIPOC faculty. Lack of funding was identified as the most significant barrier (26.2%), followed by lack of faculty expertise (18.7%). Department chairs who strongly agreed that DEIA work was important were significantly more likely to report having a DEIA committee, mentorship for BIPOC faculty, and a holistic review for faculty recruitment than those who did not strongly agree.

Conclusions: Though most department chairs perceived advancing DEIA work as important, appropriate compensation and institutional support are often lacking. Further study is needed to explore ways in which departments can enhance their institutional support for DEIA initiatives.