Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Gastroenterology and Hepatology: A Survey of Where We Stand

Harman K Rahal; James H Tabibian; Rachel B Issaka; Sandra Quezada; Darrell M Gray 2nd; Sophie Balzora; Liu Yang; Jayraan Badiee; Folasade P May

doi:10.1053/j.gastro.2022.06.059

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Gastroenterology and Hepatology: A Survey of Where We Stand

Gastroenterology. 2022 Dec;163(6):1702-1711. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.06.059. Epub 2022 Oct 11.

Authors

Harman K Rahal¹, James H Tabibian², Rachel B Issaka³, Sandra Quezada⁴, Darrell M Gray 2nd⁵, Sophie Balzora⁶, Liu Yang⁷, Jayraan Badiee⁷, Folasade P May⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California; Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
² Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Sylmar, California.
³ Clinical Research and Public Health Sciences Divisions, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington.
⁴ Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
⁵ Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
⁶ Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York.
⁷ Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California.
⁸ Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; UCLA Kaiser Permanente Center for Health Equity, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California-Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California; Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California. Electronic address: fmay@mednet.ucla.edu.

PMID: 36241487
DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2022.06.059

Abstract

Background & aims: In the setting of increasing attention to representation in medicine, we aimed to assess current perspectives of racial and ethnic workforce diversity and health care disparities among gastroenterology (GI) and hepatology professionals in the United States.

Methods: We developed and administered a 33-item electronic cross-sectional survey to members of 5 national GI and hepatology societies. Survey items were organized into thematic modules and solicited perspectives on racial and ethnic workforce diversity, health care disparities in GI and hepatology, and potential interventions to enhance workforce diversity and improve health equity.

Results: Of the 1219 survey participants, 62.3% were male, 48.7% were non-Hispanic White, and 19.9% were from backgrounds underrepresented in medicine. The most frequently reported barriers to increasing racial and ethnic diversity in GI and hepatology were insufficient representation of underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups in the education and training pipeline (n = 431 [35.4%]), in professional leadership (n = 340 [27.9%]), and among practicing GI and hepatology professionals (n = 324 [26.6%]). Suggested interventions were to increase career mentorship opportunities (n = 545 [44.7%]), medical student opportunities (n = 520 [42.7%]), and program and professional society leadership roles for underrepresented racial and ethnic minority groups (n = 473 [38.8%]).

Conclusions: Our survey explored imperative and timely perspectives on racial and ethnic representation and health equity among professionals in GI and hepatology. The findings should inform future interventions to address workforce diversity and establish priorities toward improving health equity, ultimately serving as a springboard for professional societies, academic institutions, and other organizations that aim to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in our field.

Keywords: Disparities; Minorities; Representation; Workforce.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cross-Sectional Studies
Cultural Diversity
Ethnicity
Female
Gastroenterology*
Humans
Male
Minority Groups*
United States

Grants and funding

K08 CA241296/CA/NCI NIH HHS/United States