A Departmental Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Survey, and Identification of Action Items to Improve the Climate in Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in One Academic Medical Center.

Abstract

Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is crucial for an academic institution's environment and growth. Studies assessing the DEI climate in pathology and laboratory medicine departments are limited and need more data to promote more inclusive workplaces. To assess the DEI climate and to identify specific, actionable items for improvement in academic pathology and laboratory medicine. A DEI climate assessment survey was prepared with questions related to background demographic information, discriminatory acts, and perceptions of the DEI climate in the workplace and was distributed to 473 people, including faculty, staff, and trainees in the Departments of Anatomic Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at our institution. Data were collected from December 2020 to January 2021. One hundred sixty-four participants responded (35% participation). Up to 48% (76 of 159) reported experiencing some form of discrimination at least once. Gender, age, and race were the most reported bases of discrimination. Females perceived more discrimination (77%; 48 of 62) than male participants (59%; 41 of 69). The top basis of discrimination was race for non-White (14%; 12 of 84) and gender for White (26%; 20 of 78) participants. Trainees were the most common targets and faculty members were the most common source of discrimination. Stress related to reporting was the most common cause that prevented participants from reporting discrimination. Participants reported insufficient DEI mentorship support, discomfort around discussing microaggressions with faculty members, and disbelief in DEI-related contributions being valued for promotion. Performing an anonymous DEI climate survey is an effective way to understand department-specific issues and identify action items for pathology and laboratory medicine departments.