# Beyond diversity recruitment: Next steps to ensure that underrepresented emergency medicine residents thrive

## TL;DR

This paper discusses how to create an inclusive environment for underrepresented residents in emergency medicine beyond just recruitment.

## Contribution

The paper introduces actionable strategies for fostering inclusivity in emergency medicine residency programs.

## Key findings

- Recruitment alone is insufficient for ensuring the success of underrepresented residents.
- Creating an inclusive environment requires alignment of vision and financial investment.
- Performative allyship is a common pitfall in diversity initiatives.

## Abstract

A diverse workforce in emergency medicine (EM) aims to improve patient care by addressing racism in health care, increasing representation in medicine, and improving the quality of training for all residents. Many EM residency programs have launched recruitment efforts to attract residents from diverse backgrounds. However, recruitment efforts only represent the first step in building a culturally responsible workforce. Trainees who are underrepresented in medicine must be welcomed into an inclusive training environment that has been thoughtfully constructed before they arrive. This type of supportive environment can be achieved by shifting away from majority‐serving ideals and building an informed infrastructure that functions to help all trainees succeed. We expand upon challenges and areas of opportunity at the individual, departmental, and institutional levels and describe common pitfalls when trying to create inclusive spaces for residents including lack of vision alignment, inadequate financial investment, and performative allyship. We also propose strategies that focus specifically on actionable changes that residency program, departmental, and institutional leadership can implement to mitigate these challenges.