Trends in gender, race, and ethnic diversity among prospective physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians.

BACKGROUND: As the proportion of women and individuals who are underrepresented in medicine slowly rises, disparities persist in numerous arenas and specialties. In physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), there is a continued need to focus on diversity among trainees. This study aims to evaluate diversity among PM&R applicants and residents over the past 6 years. OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic trends in PM&R over the last 6 years and compare those findings with trends in other specialties. DESIGN: Surveillance. SETTING: Analyses of national databases from self-reported questionnaires. PARTICIPANTS: The study consists of 126,833 medical school matriculants, 374,185 resident applicants, and 326,134 resident trainees over the last 6 years. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-reported demographic data from the Association of American Medical Colleges and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education were analyzed for medical school matriculants, PM&R applicants, and current residents for the cycles of 2014-2015 to 2019-2020. The data were then comparatively reviewed between PM&R and other medical specialties. RESULTS: In the 6 cycles evaluated, women accounted for 36%-39% of PM&R residents, but 47%-48% in non-PM&R specialties. Women applicants to the PM&R specialty averaged 34.4% over the 6 years analyzed, which was the fourth lowest of the 11 specialties examined. Black or African American and Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish Origin populations each accounted for only 6% of PM&R residents. PM&R demonstrated a noticeably higher proportion of White (62.1% vs. 60.3%) and an observably lower proportion of Black or African American (6.0% vs. 7.1%) and Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish Origin (6.3% vs. 7.9%) residents compared with non-PM&R specialties. CONCLUSION: There is underrepresentation of women and multiple racial and ethnic minority groups in the field of PM&R from applicants to trainees demonstrating a need to improve recruitment efforts.

Evaluation of Diversity and Inclusion Presence Among US Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Residency Program Websites.

ABSTRACT: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of diversity and inclusion promotion among US physical medicine and rehabilitation residency program Websites. A list of physical medicine and rehabilitation residency programs was obtained from the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database. The program Website links were obtained from the Fellowship and Residency Electronic Interactive Database or Google. Two reviewers evaluated the presence of 11 predetermined diversity and inclusion metrics. The presence of individual resident and faculty photos and biographies was also evaluated. Cross-sectional and descriptive analyses were performed. A total of 90 physical medicine and rehabilitation residency program Websites were reviewed. Only 15 (17%) Websites met at least 1 of the 11 predetermined criteria. Nine (10%) Websites mentioned diversity in their program mission statement, whereas 7 (8%) included a separate diversity statement. Eight (9%) Websites had a dedicated diversity page/section. Of Websites that included information on their residents and faculty, 62 (85%) had completed 100% of resident photos and 41 (47%) Websites had completed 100% of faculty photos. A total of 30 (41%) Websites had completed 100% of resident biographies, and 15 (17%) Websites had completed 100% of faculty biographies. Less than 20% of all residency program Websites promoted diversity and inclusion. Residency Websites lack key information that prospective applicants use to evaluate diversity.