A Systematic Review of Organizational Assessments Related to Racism and Equity

Abstract

This systematic review aimed to assess the following questions: (1) what organizational assessments exist for measuring racism and equity? (2) How are these assessments meant to be completed? (3) What constructs are typically assessed for in these measures? (4) What are the psychometric properties of these measures? Assessments were located by searching PubMed/MEDLINE (including non-MEDLINE and pre-MEDLINE), Scopus, CINAHL Plus with Full Text, PsycInfo, SocIndex, Dissertations & Theses Global, and the Trip Database through June 27, 2022. Cited and citing references of included assessments were also screened. In total, 21 organizational assessments assessing equity, racial equity, health equity, racism, and cultural competency were located. The setting for completion, who was meant to complete the assessment, and whether re-evaluation was needed were frequently not described in assessments. The ten question types most commonly assessed for in organizational assessments, in order of frequency, were community partnership, engagement, and accountability; cultural competency and norms; education and training; values and mission; communication; hiring, retention, and promotion; resources and funding; service provision; leadership and shared decision-making; and policies. Just one assessment assessed any form of reliability and validity. Although there has been substantial growth over the last decade in assessments that measure racism and equity, results indicate a need for more empirically developed and tested assessments to ensure reliability and validity and a more prescriptive structure and process for the administration of the assessment.

Keywords: Equity; Organizational Assessments; Racism; Systematic Review.