Presence of Diversity or Inclusion Information on US Ophthalmology Residency Program Websites

Abstract

Groups historically underrepresented in medicine also remain underrepresented within ophthalmology. Prospective applicants, in particular women and racial and ethnic minority groups, consider program factors related to gender diversity, ethnic diversity, and program culture more than nonminority groups. A prospective applicant's decision to apply to a particular residency program may be influenced by the information presented on the program's website. To evaluate for presence of diversity or inclusion information on US ophthalmology program websites. This quality improvement study, conducted from May 1 to June 2, 2021, included a cross-sectional review of ophthalmology program websites. Ophthalmology program websites were reviewed for the presence of 6 predetermined diversity or inclusion information criteria. The presence of 6 predetermined diversity or inclusion information criteria. Association between program size and ranking with presence of diversity or inclusion information criteria was assessed. Of the 121 US program websites reviewed, 29 (24%) met at least 1 of the 6 predetermined criteria. Programs with more than 12 residents (odds ratio [OR], 3.58; 95% CI, 1.39-9.55; P = .004) and programs ranked within the top 20 best hospitals for ophthalmology (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.05-10.1; P = .02) were more likely to have at least 1 of the diversity or inclusion information criteria on their website. Results of this quality improvement study suggest that the majority of US ophthalmology residency programs do not have information regarding diversity or inclusion on their websites. Although this investigation cannot determine how an ophthalmology residency program's website reflects the diversity and inclusion within the program, these findings suggest that there is a gap in the information that prospective applicants can collect when evaluating ophthalmology residency program websites.