Martha E. Teke, MD
Clinical Research Fellow
National Cancer Institute - National Institute of Health
Chevy Chase, Maryland, United States
Disclosure: I do not have any relevant financial / non-financial relationships with any proprietary interests.
Ensuring a diverse, equitable, and inclusive (DEI) environment is a known priority among academic surgical societies. However, insight into the membership’s perceptions on DEI-related progress within their respective societies is lacking. This study aims to characterize the current cultural landscape among surgical oncology societies as it relates to DEI from the viewpoint of its members.
Methods:
We distributed a 25-question web-based survey to the memberships of five oncology-related surgical societies (Society of Surgical Oncology, American Association of Endocrine Surgeons, American Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Association, American Society of Breast Surgeons, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons). Anonymized demographic and qualitative data were obtained. Standard descriptive and parametric statistical analysis of the pooled survey responses were performed.
Results:
Among the societies 347 members responded, of which 37% identified as female, 60% as male, and 3% as other. The ethnicity among responders was 55% White, 16 % Asian, 14% Hispanic, and 6% Black. A majority of the responders practiced in Academic/University-affliated health systems (57%) and urban communities (66%). On qualitative assessment, 46% of females (vs. 63% of males) reported their society provided equitable leadership opportunities (p=0.015). Ethnically, 74% of White, 60% of Hispanic, 60% of Asian, and 40% of Blacks responders perceived that their respective society fostered an environment of diversity and inclusion (p=0.005). Responders of Black, Hispanic, or Asian heritage frequently reported feeling less comfortable with discussing their cultural backgrounds (p=0.016), less sense of community within their society (p=0.045), having less equitable leadership opportunities (p=0.007), and an overall sparse selection of DEI-related workshops or activities (p=0.009).
Conclusions:
While advances have clearly been made to cultivate an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion in surgical societies, this data, albeit limited by the small percentage of responders, may highlight areas for improvement. As societal bodies continue to evolve, findings from this study could serve as a platform for productive ongoing discussion.