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The Impact of Bias on the Pathway to Otolaryngology: Time to Level Up

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To frame the nature and extent of barriers adequately in order to raise awareness about the challenges to creating diversity in a surgical subspecialty. We hope to inspire new strategies to augment efforts towards inclusion.

Recent Findings

Experiencing microaggressions has been linked to elevated cortisol levels, as well as numerous health conditions such as hypertension, pulmonary disease, pain, depression, and suicidal ideation.

Summary

Otolaryngology is currently one of the least diverse fields of medicine. We sought to examine some of the structural phenomena in society that might explain this trend. Understanding causation is a key to developing remedies.

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Funding

Heather M. Weinreich receives funding from the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health—UIC BIRCWH grant K12HD101373. Her work pertains to sex differences and instrument design. This specific grant did not fund work for this project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UI Health, University of Illinois-Chicago, 1855 W. Taylor Street, Room 2.42, 60612, Chicago, IL, USA

    Ashley Pankey, Emma Martin, Heather M. Weinreich & H. Steven Sims

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  1. Ashley Pankey
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  2. Emma Martin
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  3. Heather M. Weinreich
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  4. H. Steven Sims
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to H. Steven Sims.

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Pankey, A., Martin, E., Weinreich, H.M. et al. The Impact of Bias on the Pathway to Otolaryngology: Time to Level Up. Curr Otorhinolaryngol Rep 11, 78–85 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40136-023-00457-2

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