Racial diversity amongst Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery programs in Canada

Abstract Background The Canadian landscape of racial diversity in academic OHNS programs is currently unknown, as to date Canadian medical organizing bodies have refrained from collecting race-based data. However, new policy guidelines by the Canadian Medical Association support the collection of da...

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Main Authors: Garret Horton, Elysia Grose, Tanya Chen, Oluwaseun Daniel Davies, Dongho Shin, Ian Witterick, Paolo Campisi, Yvonne Chan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2023-07-01
Series:Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-023-00650-9
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author Garret Horton
Elysia Grose
Tanya Chen
Oluwaseun Daniel Davies
Dongho Shin
Ian Witterick
Paolo Campisi
Yvonne Chan
author_facet Garret Horton
Elysia Grose
Tanya Chen
Oluwaseun Daniel Davies
Dongho Shin
Ian Witterick
Paolo Campisi
Yvonne Chan
author_sort Garret Horton
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The Canadian landscape of racial diversity in academic OHNS programs is currently unknown, as to date Canadian medical organizing bodies have refrained from collecting race-based data. However, new policy guidelines by the Canadian Medical Association support the collection of data that may be used to support equity, diversity and inclusion programs. This study aims to describe the representation of visible minorities amongst academic OHNS departments and divisions in Canada at various levels of academic seniority. Methods An online survey was distributed to members of the 13 academic OHNS department in Canada in 2022. The survey collected demographic data as well as each participant’s self-reported race and gender. The primary outcome was the comparison of the racial demographics of Canadian academic OHNS programs to Canadian census data. Secondary outcome measures assessed how demographics varied based on academic position and gender. Simple descriptive statistics were tabulated for all demographic variables. Chi-square goodness of fit analysis was used to compare survey results to anticipated demographics based on 2016 Canadian census data. Results Of 545 surveys distributed, 224 surveys were completed (response rate of 41%); 67.9% or respondents were male and 32.1% were female. Of these respondents, 71 were residents, 26 lecturers, 54 assistant professors, 39 associate professors, and 34 full professors. There was significantly greater minority representation amongst residents (47.9%), assistant professors (39.6%), and lecturers (40.7%) compared to the Canadian population (25.3%) p < 0.001. Results also showed that there were significantly fewer female lecturers (25.9%, p = 0.01), assistant professors (31.5%, p = 0.006), and full professors (2.9%, p < 0.001) compared to an assumed even proportion of men and women in the population. Conclusions Academic OHNS programs in Canada are more racially diverse than the Canadian population. However, women continue to be under-represented in more senior positions, especially women who are visible minorities. Further investigation into the systemic factors that may contribute to this disparity is needed as well as effective ways to promote diversity amongst academic OHNS departments at all levels of academic seniority. Graphical abstract
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spelling doaj-art-511677aa28b645c78cceacf0a5fc70752025-02-03T11:14:18ZengSAGE PublishingJournal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery1916-02162023-07-015211910.1186/s40463-023-00650-9Racial diversity amongst Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery programs in CanadaGarret Horton0Elysia Grose1Tanya Chen2Oluwaseun Daniel Davies3Dongho Shin4Ian Witterick5Paolo Campisi6Yvonne Chan7Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of CalgaryDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoDepartment of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of TorontoAbstract Background The Canadian landscape of racial diversity in academic OHNS programs is currently unknown, as to date Canadian medical organizing bodies have refrained from collecting race-based data. However, new policy guidelines by the Canadian Medical Association support the collection of data that may be used to support equity, diversity and inclusion programs. This study aims to describe the representation of visible minorities amongst academic OHNS departments and divisions in Canada at various levels of academic seniority. Methods An online survey was distributed to members of the 13 academic OHNS department in Canada in 2022. The survey collected demographic data as well as each participant’s self-reported race and gender. The primary outcome was the comparison of the racial demographics of Canadian academic OHNS programs to Canadian census data. Secondary outcome measures assessed how demographics varied based on academic position and gender. Simple descriptive statistics were tabulated for all demographic variables. Chi-square goodness of fit analysis was used to compare survey results to anticipated demographics based on 2016 Canadian census data. Results Of 545 surveys distributed, 224 surveys were completed (response rate of 41%); 67.9% or respondents were male and 32.1% were female. Of these respondents, 71 were residents, 26 lecturers, 54 assistant professors, 39 associate professors, and 34 full professors. There was significantly greater minority representation amongst residents (47.9%), assistant professors (39.6%), and lecturers (40.7%) compared to the Canadian population (25.3%) p < 0.001. Results also showed that there were significantly fewer female lecturers (25.9%, p = 0.01), assistant professors (31.5%, p = 0.006), and full professors (2.9%, p < 0.001) compared to an assumed even proportion of men and women in the population. Conclusions Academic OHNS programs in Canada are more racially diverse than the Canadian population. However, women continue to be under-represented in more senior positions, especially women who are visible minorities. Further investigation into the systemic factors that may contribute to this disparity is needed as well as effective ways to promote diversity amongst academic OHNS departments at all levels of academic seniority. Graphical abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-023-00650-9DiversityGenderEquityInclusion
spellingShingle Garret Horton
Elysia Grose
Tanya Chen
Oluwaseun Daniel Davies
Dongho Shin
Ian Witterick
Paolo Campisi
Yvonne Chan
Racial diversity amongst Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery programs in Canada
Journal of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
Diversity
Gender
Equity
Inclusion
title Racial diversity amongst Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery programs in Canada
title_full Racial diversity amongst Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery programs in Canada
title_fullStr Racial diversity amongst Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery programs in Canada
title_full_unstemmed Racial diversity amongst Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery programs in Canada
title_short Racial diversity amongst Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery programs in Canada
title_sort racial diversity amongst otolaryngology head and neck surgery programs in canada
topic Diversity
Gender
Equity
Inclusion
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40463-023-00650-9
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