A Sense of Belonging: Lessons Learned on the a Path to a More Inclusive Training Program-View Presentation

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Video Summary

The presentation led by Larry Malik and his colleagues at UC San Diego focused on enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in medical education, particularly in psychiatric residency programs. They highlighted the importance of a diverse healthcare workforce to address care disparities faced by minoritized groups. A key topic was the ongoing challenge of increasing diversity within medical institutions to mirror the populations they serve. Historical inequities and systemic barriers, such as those highlighted in the Flexner report and AMA policies, were discussed as foundational issues still affecting the present workforce diversity.<br /><br />Efforts to reform include implementing holistic admissions processes that better account for diverse applicant backgrounds, thereby benefiting both patients and learners by fostering environments with varied perspectives. The success of such methods was demonstrated in a case from Houston, Texas, where holistic reviews significantly increased URM representation in medical training programs. The faculty presenters also shared personal experiences and data from a survey exploring attitudes towards DEI in medical programs, revealing varied enthusiasm for such initiatives.<br /><br />On the ground at UCSD, the diversity committee was instrumental in integrating DEI initiatives, including direct community engagement, dedicated curricular content, and building mentorship and supportive networks for both faculty and trainees. Creating spaces where minoritized groups feel represented and supported remains a priority, alongside constant efforts to refine recruitment and retention strategies that bolster a diverse workforce prepared to tackle health inequities. This talk underscored the dual moral and practical imperatives of diversifying the medical field and suggested ongoing advocacy and adaptation to emerging barriers like recent legal challenges to affirmative action.

Keywords

diversity

equity

inclusion

medical education

psychiatric residency

healthcare workforce

systemic barriers

holistic admissions

URM representation

DEI initiatives

community engagement

affirmative action