Description
In a recent presentation, Salma Choudhury, an orthopedic consultant at Addenbrooke's and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion lead at the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA), opened a session addressing the significance of diversity and inclusion in healthcare. She expressed the necessity of these topics beyond just gender, noting their impact on patient outcomes and workforce performance. Choudhury emphasized that diversity in healthcare is not merely a trend; extensive research has shown its correlation with improved business outcomes in various industries, and similar principles may apply to healthcare settings.
Through her talk, she introduced the BOA's commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, explaining key initiatives encapsulated in their strategy focusing on understanding membership needs. Surveys conducted revealed concerning statistics about feeling excluded based on ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic background, with a notable percentage of members indicating that these factors hindered their professional progression. Furthermore, themes of support regarding mental health, parenting, and addressing workplace misconduct were woven throughout her address, alongside innovative outreach programs targeting medical students and improving diversity in representation at events.
She concluded by reaffirming the BOA's proactive steps in addressing diversity challenges, highlighting the need for collective action from the workforce to ensure a better future for all in the orthopedic sector.