A Program Director's Guide to Cultivating Diversity and Inclusion in Radiology Residency Recruitment

Abstract

Diversity and inclusion are vital elements to the success of any group. Indeed, evidence from the business world indicates that a group's overall talent level is a function of its collective cognitive diversity. The ability to effectively problem solve, innovate, and adapt to change all depend to a large degree on the biases and life experiences of an organization's constituent members. As other industries have come to embrace this principle, their recruitment strategies have included placing a premium on employees who can think differently from one another. The benefits of diversity and inclusion have been touted in the medical literature and on social media sites in recent years. The radiology Twitter community often discusses the nuances of diversity and how it benefits all stakeholders in a radiology department. In essence, a diverse group allows for collaboration among colleagues with dissimilar experiences and perspectives, increasing the odds for discovery of new concepts and innovation (Fig 1) (1). Patients may stand to benefit the most, as diversity among practicing physicians is believed to be a key component of improving access and reducing disparities to health care in the United States (2,3).