University of Massachusetts Medical School Faculty Publications

Title

Measuring Diversity and Inclusion in Academic Medicine: The Diversity Engagement Survey

UMMS Affiliation

Department of Quantitative Health Sciences; Department of Psychiatry

Publication Date

12-1-2015

Document Type

Article

Disciplines

Health and Medical Administration | Medicine and Health | Race and Ethnicity

Abstract

PURPOSE: To produce a physician and scientific workforce that advances high-quality research and culturally competent care, academic medical centers (AMCs) must assess their capacity for diversity and inclusion and leverage opportunities for improvement. The Diversity Engagement Survey (DES) is presented as a diagnostic and benchmarking tool.

METHOD: The 22-item DES consists of eight factors that connect engagement theory to inclusion and diversity constructs. It was piloted at 1 AMC and then administered at 13 additional U.S. AMCs in 2011-2012. Face and content validity were assessed through a review panel. Cronbach alpha was used to assess internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to establish construct validity. Cluster analysis was conducted to establish ability of the DES to distinguish between institutions' degrees of engagement and inclusion. Criterion validity was established using observed differences in scores for demographic groups as suggested by the literature.

RESULTS: The sample included 13,694 respondents across 14 AMCs. Cronbach alphas for the engagement and inclusion factors (range: 0.68-0.85), CFA fit indices, and item correlations with latent constructs indicated an acceptable model fit and that items measured the intended concepts. Cluster analysis of DES scores distinguished institutions with higher, middle, and lower degrees of engagement and inclusion by their respondents. Consistent with the literature, black, Hispanic/Latino, female, and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) respondents reported lower degrees of engagement than their counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS: The DES is a reliable and valid instrument for assessment, evaluation, and external benchmarking of institutional engagement and inclusion.

Keywords

UMCCTS funding

DOI of Published Version

10.1097/ACM.0000000000000921

Source

Acad Med. 2015 Dec;90(12):1675-83. doi: 10.1097/ACM.0000000000000921. Link to article on publisher's site

Related Resources

Link to Article in PubMed

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges

PubMed ID

26466376

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