Advocacy for Diversity in Hand Surgery.

Abstract

Diversity in the Hand Surgery workforce improves the quality of care delivered, advances a wider variety of innovation within the field and leads to higher patient satisfaction, greater access to care and patient adherence to advice. An understanding of the data makes a compelling argument for change. Advocacy is necessary to stop the "leaky pipeline" of the loss of diversity in more senior and leadership roles. Hand surgeons who are both women and from underrepresented minority groups are especially vulnerable to bias from the health-care system, with focused support and mentoring required throughout their training and career.