We describe the implementation of a survey to assess opportunities for improvement in departmental DEI for neurology faculty and trainees (residents and fellows) and present our results.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is increasingly recognized as being important to the mission of neurology departments.

Surveys for trainees and faculty included questions assessing demographics and opinions on the department’s state of DEI in the areas of education, research, patient care, and climate. Questions used a 5-point Likert scale (strongly disagree to strongly agree), with higher scores indicating affirmative responses. Surveys were distributed electronically and were sent on 3 occasions to improve response rate. The survey could be completed in 5 minutes and completion was voluntary and anonymous. Aggregate scores of < 4 (for positive statements) or > 2 (for negative statements) were considered as areas of opportunity.

40 of 82 faculty (48.78%) and 23 of 60 trainees (38.33%) completed the survey. Opportunities identified by both faculty and trainees included incentives to promote inclusiveness and improve participation in DEI research. Among faculty from under-represented race/ethnic groups, responses were less favorable regarding the department’s importance of serving a diverse patient population, availability of incentives to promote inclusiveness, importance of DEI research in the department, and feelings of being accepted. Faculty identified the need for implicit bias training, responding less positively than trainees regarding their knowledge in this area. For trainees, female respondents were more likely to be mistaken for support staff and less likely to respond favorably about opportunities to participate in research.

This project highlights the importance of assessing DEI opportunities in academic neurology departments by surveying faculty and trainees. Based on the results of this survey, the departmental DEI council formed task forces to develop initiatives to address areas of opportunity though programmatic change.