BOARD TO COLLECT RACE & ETHNICITY DATA AS PART OF DEI WORK
BOARD TO BEGIN COLLECTING RACE AND ETHNICITY DATA AS PART OF DEI WORK AND MISSION
Raleigh, N.C. (June 16, 2021) – The American Board of Anesthesiology (ABA) will begin collecting data on the race and ethnicity of candidates for certification and diplomates starting July 1 as part of its commitment to address diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).
The board of directors began an extensive process to address issues related to DEI in 2018. Although healthcare disparities have been a long-standing problem in the United States, the COVID-19 pandemic laid bare their magnitude and highlighted the need for anesthesiologists to do their part in eliminating these disparities. Part of the solution is to ensure that ABA processes contribute to a diverse and inclusive workforce in anesthesiology that can effectively serve all members of the communities in which we work.
The ABA has already begun to collect race and ethnicity data from ABA volunteers to gauge whether the volunteer corps is representative of the anesthesiology community. “This latest data collection initiative will help us better understand our diplomates and candidates and ensure that we are properly supporting them all,” said Board Secretary David O. Warner, M.D.
Here’s what this will mean for ABA diplomates: On July 1, every physician in the ABA system will receive a prompt to visit their ABA Go portal account, whether by desktop or mobile application, where they will be directed to the race and ethnicity question on their personal information page. This field will ask which prescribed race and ethnicity best describes the physician, who will be prompted to select all options that apply.
Physicians can opt-out if they choose or write-in their own race and ethnicity selection. Click here to see how the race and ethnicity question will appear within ABA Go. Physicians can change or adjust their race and ethnicity reporting at any time.
The options for self-identification include: American Indian or Alaskan Native; Asian; Black/African American; Hispanic or Latino; Middle Eastern or North African; Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander; White; Other (write-in); Prefer not to report.
About the American Board of Anesthesiology
Our mission is to advance the highest standards of the practice of anesthesiology. As the certifying body for anesthesiologists since 1938, we work with physicians to elevate practice standards and foster exceptional patient care. We administer initial and subspecialty certification exams as well as the Maintenance of Certification in Anesthesiology® (MOCA®) program, which is designed to promote lifelong learning, a commitment to quality clinical outcomes and patient safety. Based in Raleigh, N.C., we are a nonprofit organization and a Member Board of the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS).
ABA Media Contact:
C. Michelle Taylor, CCM
michelle.taylor@theaba.org
919-745-2281