The State of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice in Pediatric Fellowship Programs

Abstract

Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) lie at the center of excellent patient care and safety. The way we interact with our pediatric patients and families and develop and discuss treatment plans should all be done under the lens of DEIJ. The foundation of DEIJ begins in medical school and is further honed during general pediatric residency training by ensuring residents are exposed to diverse patient populations. During fellowship training, the focus is shifted to research and scholarly activities for that same population. There is a vast catalog of curricula on DEIJ education for medical schools, some exist for general pediatric residency programs, but there is a lack of such curricula for subspecialty pediatric fellowship programs. In this article, we will address the state of DEIJ education in pediatric fellowship education, make a case for the importance of DEIJ education in pediatric fellowship programs, and provide recommendations to address the gap to include a holistic approach that involves holding departments, program leaders, and individuals accountable for continued medical education. [ Pediatr Ann . 2023;52(7):e261–e265.]