Welcome to EMIGcast, EMers! Today marks several special occasions. First, it is the day before Match Day. EEK! And second, the episode you are about to hear is my last EMIGcast episode… because I am graduating! It is only fitting, therefore, that I discuss an area of emergency medicine, that could use some improvements, and one that directly shapes my relationship to emergency medicine—diversity in emergency medicine.

Most people agree that diversity is extremely important to the practice of medicine. A diverse work force encourages different perspectives, helps us relate to our patients, and improves medical outcomes. Diversity may be even more important to emergency medicine, because we must quickly establish rapport with people from every walk of life. Additionally, patients who come to the ED for help have no ability to choose which doctor sees them. Therefore, it is our job to make them feel as comfortable as possible. Unfortunately, EM is not yet where it needs to be in terms of acquiring the diversity of gender or race to represent our patients.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Steven Bowman, at Cook County Hospital in Chicago about where the specialty of emergency medicine stands as far as representing the diverse patient population that it serves. In this episode you will find 1) information about the state of diversity in emergency medicine, 2) ways that the field of EM is working to increase diversity, and 3) how you, as an EM bound student, can thrive while adding your own diverse background and experiences into the EM conversation.

At a time when diversity needs to be protected it is equally important to nurture and celebrate it within our hospitals.

Best of luck 4th years. May you all get your #1 choice of residency programs.

A special thank you, to the Oregon Health and Science University Bacon Award for providing funding to support this episode.

References;

https://www.acep.org/diversity/

http://www.annemergmed.com/article/S0196-0644(16)31400-7/fulltext

https://www.acep.org/Membership-top-banner/Minority-Affairs-and-Diversity-in-Emergency-Medicine-Section-Petition/

Diversity in emergency medicine education: expanding the horizon. Bowman, S.H., Moreno-Walton, L., Ezenkwele, U.A., Heron, S.L.; Acad Emerg Med. 2011 Oct.

Promoting diversity in emergency medicine: summary recommendations from the 2008 Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors (CORD) Academic Assembly Diversity W… Heron, S.L., Lovell, E.O., Wang, E., Bowman, S.H.; Acad Emerg Med. 2009-05-01.

http://www.thecentralline.com/?p=3210