Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives and Faculty Roles in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Fellowships Are Associated With Increased Female Representation Among Faculty and Fellows

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements and DEI faculty roles in orthopaedic sports medicine fellowships and report any association with female representation among sports medicine fellows and faculty. We also sought to identify other potential trends in prevalence of DEI advocacy and fellow/faculty gender proportions, disparities in these variables among different geographic regions, and program types.

Methods: Arthroscopy Association of North America and American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Fellowship Database review provided all accredited sports medicine fellowship programs. Data were collected (April 20, 2023-June 20, 2023) from 87 programs: location, full names of sports medicine faculty/fellows, and DEI statements/faculty. Physicians' gender was classified using pronouns from biographical webpages.

Results: Of 87 fellowship websites, 74.7% (65/87) published DEI statements and 64.4% (56/87) listed DEI faculty (e.g., Diversity Dean, Diversity Officer, etc). Programs with DEI statements had significantly greater proportions of female sports medicine faculty than programs without (80/578, 13.8% ± 15.3% vs. 10/166, 6.0% ± 4.0%, p = 0.017). Programs with DEI statements also had more female sports medicine fellows (25/147, 17% ± 25.5% vs. 3/71, 4.2% ± 8.5%, p = 0.056). All University programs (32/32) included DEI statements and roles; fewer community programs included statements (9/24, 37.5%) or roles (5/24, 20.8%). Most Northeast programs included statements (20/22, 90.9%) and roles (16/22, 72.7%). Only 11 of 19 (57.9%) Western programs included statements, and 8 of 19 (42.1%) included roles.

Conclusions: Most orthopaedic surgery sports medicine fellowship programs include DEI statements and DEI-related faculty positions, although these roles generally exist outside the orthopaedic department. Programs with DEI statements and/or faculty roles are associated with higher female representation among sports medicine faculty and fellows. Programs without DEI initiatives should develop public-facing DEI statements and create DEI roles within the orthopaedic department. These initiatives can shape program culture, signal inclusivity, and provide mentorship opportunities. Tracking outcomes such as changes in demographics can demonstrate the impact of these efforts and guide continuous improvement.