SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Exploring Dei Efforts in Divisions of Hospital Medicine Nationally

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This cross-sectional survey examined diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in hospital medicine divisions across the United States, addressing a gap in available data on how such efforts are organized and perceived. The study surveyed Division Chiefs and frontline hospital medicine providers within the Hospital Medicine Re-engineering Network (HOMERuN), a national network of academic medical centers. The survey, created by the HOMERuN Anti-racism, Health Equity, and Justice Working Group, collected information on demographics, current DEI initiatives, and perceptions of DEI prioritization, inclusivity, and readiness for change. Surveys were distributed through Qualtrics to 83 sites, with responses from 30 division chiefs and 495 frontline providers.<br /><br />Results showed that DEI work is underway in most responding institutions, but formal infrastructure is limited. Only 30% of divisions reported having a position dedicated to DEI, and just 56% of those positions were funded. The biggest barriers to advancing DEI were lack of data (77%), limited time (70%), and limited resources (70%). Leaders and frontline providers generally agreed on the level of DEI prioritization and readiness for change, but both groups identified inclusivity as an area needing improvement.<br /><br />Reported DEI activities varied widely and included education and curriculum development, faculty and staff DEI training, recruitment and retention of underrepresented in medicine (UIM) faculty, health disparities data collection, research on structural and social determinants of health, advocacy, clinical guideline review to avoid race-based medicine, quality improvement, mentorship, bias incident reporting, and patient experience initiatives.<br /><br />Qualitative comments highlighted reliance on volunteer effort, limited diversity, and a need for measurable action rather than discussion alone. Overall, the study concludes that while DEI efforts exist in many hospital medicine divisions, stronger divisional infrastructure, funding, and support are needed to make progress meaningful and sustainable.

Asset Subtitle

Archna Eniasivam

Meta Tag

Author List Amira Del Pino-Jones, Andrew D. Auerbach, Anya Solotskaya, Archna Eniasivam, Daniel Cabrera, David Sterken, Di'Reon Lowry, Kendall Rogers, Khaalisha Ajala, Naomi Shike, Obsinet Merid, Sandra Oreper, Sarah Hartigan, Sirisha Narayana, Sneha Daya, Suman

Category Research

Concept Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Concept Hospital Medicine

Concept Divisional Infrastructure

Concept Academic Hospitalist Division

Concept Health Disparities Data

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of California, San Francisco

Presenting Author Archna Eniasivam

Track Other

Keywords

diversity equity inclusion

hospital medicine

cross-sectional survey

DEI initiatives

health equity

academic medical centers

underrepresented in medicine

structural barriers

anti-racism

divisional infrastructure

Diversity Equity and Inclusion

Hospital Medicine

Divisional Infrastructure

Academic Hospitalist Division

Health Disparities Data