87. OPPORTUNITIES FOR MITIGATING BIAS IN THE PROCESS AND PRIORITIES FOR PEDIATRIC CHIEF RESIDENT SELECTION

Abstract

Background The number of residents who self-identify as underrepresented minorities in medicine (URM) is low, and this pipeline becomes even leakier as training progresses, with URM rates at 8.7% for academic pediatric faculty in the US. Chief residents (CR) potentially have an advantage in securing academic positions and play a vital role in recruitment and education of residents. It is unknown what the current URM representation in CRs is and what strategies are used to recruit and select more chief residents who are URM. Methods An online survey was developed by pediatric PDs/APDs with content expertise and piloted with active pediatric PDs. Questions focused on resident and CR demographics and processes and priorities for CR selection. It was IRB and APPD-approved and distributed to all pediatric PDs in late 2019. Summary statistics were used to report the percent of CRs who identify with underrepresented groups, characteristics of CR position, whether formal criteria for CR selection are used, and identification of the people who have influence on selection. We will conduct a content analysis of written comments of PD priorities in CR selection. Results The survey was sent out three times, with final data expected in mid-January. 79 of 198 (40%) PDs have responded to date. Preliminary analysis indicates that 18% of residents identify as URM, compared with 15% of PD and APD leadership and 15% of CRs. The average number of CRs per program is 2.4, with a range of 1-4 per year. Only 6% of CRs are paid a faculty salary. No programs report using USMLE scores in the selection of CRs, but 24% use ITE results. 17% report having a specific method to mitigate bias in CR selection. Conclusions The anticipated insights into the demographics and potential sources of bias in the process and priorities for chief resident selection are relevant to PDs, CRs, all APPD members, and other stakeholders outside of APPD, including leadership in UME and governing bodies in pediatrics, who are invested in improving URM representation in academic pediatrics at the resident and faculty levels.