Strategies to Increase Workforce Diversity in Pediatric Infectious Diseases

Abstract

Abstract The number of physicians who are underrepresented in medicine within the pediatric infectious diseases workforce remains disproportionate compared to the US population. Physician workforce diversity plays an important role in reducing health care disparities. Pathways to careers in pediatric infectious diseases require that a diverse pool of students enter medicine and subsequently choose pediatric residency followed by subspecialty training. Efforts must be made to expose learners to pediatric infectious diseases earlier in the education timeline. Along with recruitment and creation of pathways, cultures of inclusivity must be created and fostered within institutions of learning along the entire spectrum of medical training.