The Role of Inclusivity in DEI Initiatives: Cultivating an Inclusive Clinical Learning Environment for All
Main Article Content
Abstract
Many U.S. academic medical centers, medical societies, and accreditation bodies are committed to continuing initiatives of recruiting a diverse workforce. It is this focus of DEI that is often weighted towards diversity recruitment within undergraduate and graduate medical education. These recruitment initiatives result in an influx of an underrepresented in medicine (UIM) physician workforce into clinical learning environments that may not reflect inclusivity. The authors provide a brief introduction to the topic of inclusion, discuss its importance in the clinical environment, and suggest ways that medical education leaders can incorporate the tenets of inclusion into their curriculum and training. There are harms to having an exclusionary clinical learning environment that impact the clinical performance and well-being of all learners, particularly those coming from UIM backgrounds. There are also clear benefits to creating inclusion practices, however, there must be intention and strategic planning to work towards solutions to creating a safe, inclusive environment for all.
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