Reviewer: Ming-Hsien Wang, MD (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine)
Description: Awareness of the importance of applying Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practices in the workplace has increased dramatically in recent years. As a particularly conservative and hierarchical set of specialties within medicine, surgery has been viewed as being a particularly challenging milieu in which to implement these practices. The editors from the University of Michigan advocate for an increased focus on DEI within academic surgical training. They present research supporting the value of having a diverse team and discuss how to train and retain talented individuals. Contributing authors include academic surgeons at all levels of their academic careers discussing topics such as "Building a Creative Culture," "Women and Under-Represented Minorities in Surgery," and "Mentorship and Sponsorship." The book is divided into three main sections: "Building an Open and Inclusive Environment for Faculty," "Attracting Talented Medical Students," and "Developing Talent in Surgery Residents."
Purpose: The practice of medicine is complicated as it is both a science and an art. Each patient comes with their unique biological make-up as well as life experiences that require individualized counseling and treatment approaches. With each passing year, the field becomes more complex, with rapid advancements in technology and science accompanied by increased expectations from the public. Studies have shown that complex problems are best approached by a team consisting of talented individuals from diverse backgrounds who bring different perspectives to problem solving. For the team members to maximize their collective potential, individuals must feel that they are treated with equity, and that the environment they are in is both transparent and supportive. In this book, the editors focus the discussion on the importance of creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive surgical environment by gathering collective wisdom, and suggest solutions from academic surgeons at various levels of their careers. Examples include steps in establishing meaningful mentor-mentee relationships, transitioning from mentee to mentor, and attracting talented students from different social economic backgrounds through local and international outreach programs.
Audience: The audience for this book can be healthcare administrators, educators, students, residents, fellows, and faculty who are invested in building an inclusive healthcare environment that recruits, trains, promotes, and retains talented physicians. The contributing authors are at all levels of their surgical careers; residents as well as assistant, associate, and full professors.
Features: This book is well organized, concise, and easy to read for those interested in DEI. It is divided into three main sections applicable to faculty, medical students, and surgical residents. Within each section, the discussion starts with current research supporting the needs for promoting DEI both for the benefits of the public and physicians, followed by practical tips to address the gaps and suggestions for future direction.
Assessment: The importance of creating a diverse, inclusive work environment is already in process in other fields of medicine. This book describes ways to approach this complicated topic in academic surgery. It includes up-to-date resources, research, and references on DEI. Overall, this book is a well-organized, easy-to-read introduction to those within academic surgery who are interested in understanding and promoting a more inclusive environment.