Challenges in diversity, equity, and inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a framework used to promote high performance teams, prioritizing principles of justice and intersectionality. There is abundant evidence that members of marginalized communities, such as racial and ethnic minorities and sexual and gender minorities, experience higher threats to well-being than members of dominant groups. Such threats include systemic racism and discrimination, bias, sexism, and homophobia, all of which are deeply ingrained in medical culture. Recognizing and responding to these threats requires an understanding of how individual identities influence interactions in the workplace, including evaluations and promotions, team dynamics, and career trajectory. Discrimination and bias are known contributors to adverse outcomes in emotional and physical health, career satisfaction, and social connectedness in the workplace. Any effort to promote well-being and decrease burnout must center DEI as a foundational component of that effort, or risk further marginalization of certain groups and likely failure of the intervention.