The International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance (IODA) is a globally recognized organization dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the field of orthopaedics. This alliance plays a crucial role in addressing the barriers and challenges faced by underrepresented groups in the orthopaedic profession, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and other marginalized communities.
IODA was established in late 2019 with the mission to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion in orthopaedics worldwide with a vision of a global orthopaedic culture in which everyone can thrive. The founder members recognized the importance of diversity in improving patient care outcomes, fostering innovation, and enhancing the educational experience for medical professionals. It is critical that the orthopaedic profession works towards an inclusive environment within orthopaedics that reflects the diverse patient populations served by practitioners. From the original 45 founding members, IODA has grown to nearly 1700 members from across the globe, with representation from 6 different geographical regions.
The importance of diversity in orthopaedics cannot be overstated. A diverse workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and problem-solving capabilities. Different perspectives lead to improved decision-making processes, ultimately benefiting patients and healthcare systems. A diverse orthopaedic workforce is better equipped to understand and address the unique needs of different patient populations. Cultural competence among healthcare professionals ensures that patients receive care that is respectful of their backgrounds and tailored to their specific needs. Studies have shown that diverse teams produce better outcomes in healthcare settings. When patients see healthcare providers who reflect their own backgrounds, they may feel more comfortable, leading to improved communication, compliance, and satisfaction. In addition, a diverse and inclusive environment in orthopaedics inspires future generations of medical students and residents from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the field. Role models from similar backgrounds can motivate young professionals to envision themselves in these roles.
The IODA Board of Directors is structured to include voices from across the globe. Regional representatives from Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, North America, along with Latin America/Caribbean in addition to a Trainee Representative, Secretary, Treasurer, Governance Director, and the Presidential Line. The variety in thought is critical as there are different obstacles to improving culture and diversity in the various regions of world. This allows the sharing of best practices and ideas to overcome impediments.
Some of the key objectives reached in the first 5 years of the organization include:
- Promoting Diversity and Inclusion:
IODA focuses on increasing the representation of diverse groups within orthopaedic surgery. This includes efforts to recruit, retain, and promote individuals from underrepresented backgrounds in residency programs and professional roles.
- Advocacy and Policy Change:
The alliance advocates for systemic changes in policies and practices that perpetuate inequality. This involves working with educational institutions, hospitals, and professional bodies to implement inclusive policies. IODA is proud over 60 international orthopaedic organizations of signed on to the IODA Charter. In signing the IODA Charter, these organizations are committing to diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our profession.
- Research and Data Collection:
IODA supports research initiatives aimed at understanding the barriers to diversity in orthopaedics. By collecting and analysing data, the organization can better inform strategies and measure progress. The IODA website serves as a hub for members with access to the latest diversity research and resources to help promote the efforts at their hospitals locally.
- Education and Training:
Providing training and resources on cultural competence and implicit bias is a core aspect of IODA’s work. These educational efforts are designed to equip orthopaedic professionals with the skills needed to provide equitable care and work effectively in diverse teams. In addition, we have a quarterly newsletter distributed to all members with the latest information and happenings within the field of diversity in orthopaedics and regularly host webinars and journal clubs that are free to members.
- Networking and Mentorship:
Creating opportunities for networking and mentorship is vital for career development. IODA facilitates networking with a presence at meetings around the globe along with virtual curriculum to facilitate a sense of belonging and helping link surgeons around the globe.
Despite progress, numerous challenges persist in achieving diversity within the field. In America, there has been a recent backlash against diversity efforts which we must all work to overcome. In addition, it is well established that there are numerous barriers to the improvement of diversity within orthopaedics that members of IODA are actively working to overcome. These barriers includes:
- Pipeline Issues: There is a lack of diverse candidates entering medical school and, subsequently, orthopaedic surgery programs. This is often due to systemic barriers in education and access to opportunities. IODA members have partnered with regional and local efforts to host initiatives to get younger candidates from underrepresented groups interested in science, medicine, and orthopaedic surgery.
- Workplace Culture: The culture within some orthopaedic departments can be unwelcoming to those from diverse backgrounds. This can manifest as discrimination, microaggressions, and a lack of support. IODA leadership has given symposia and talks at conferences around the globe on techniques to identify and overcome culture issues.
- Leadership Representation: Minority groups are underrepresented in leadership positions within orthopaedics, limiting the influence of diverse perspectives in decision-making processes. The old adage of “You can’t be what you can’t see” is real and IODA has worked diligently to highlight the leaders in orthopaedics from underrepresented groups to serve as mentors and resources for aspiring orthopaedic leaders.
What’s coming in 2025 for IODA?
The IODA Board of Directors recently met to frame the strategic vision of the organization over the next 3 years and to focus on issues relevant in today’s culture. One of the big initiatives that is just getting started is a robust virtual mentorship platform that will be able to link mentors and mentees from the around the world based on needs and preferences. Being able to virtually meet a leader and work with them on a personal level can help eliminate some of the barriers that orthopaedic surgeons see in regions where they don’t have a robust network of diverse mentors.
In addition, we have cultivated a speaker list to help highlight topics and speakers that our members are experts in delivering. The hope is that it will be a resource to serve for conferences and panels to improve diversity in participation.
Finally, we are excited that IODA was competitively chosen for a 3-year partnership with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) to highlight our diversity efforts and will be hosting a breakfast/social at the AAOS annual meeting in San Diego, CA in March. This is the 2nd year of the partnership with our first in person gathering at the 2024 AAOS annual meeting in San Francisco.
Conclusion
The International Orthopaedic Diversity Alliance is at the forefront of efforts to make the field of orthopaedics more inclusive and equitable. Through advocacy, education, and collaboration, IODA is helping to create a future where diversity is not only valued but seen as essential to the advancement of medical science and the betterment of patient care. As the organization continues to grow and evolve, its work will remain critical in shaping a more inclusive healthcare system for all. We welcome all to join us on this mission towards improved diversity. Membership is free and advocates can sign up at our website: www.orthopaedicdiversity.org. We also encourage people to follow our social media accounts as we highlight the fantastic work our members are doing the fields of diversity across all platforms.
About the author
Matthew Schmitz, MD is a Clinical Professor of Orthopaedics at Rady Children’s Hospital and University of California San Diego. The current President of IODA, his clinical practice focuses on adolescent sports injuries, young adult hip preservation, and pediatric musculoskeletal trauma. After serving 20 years in the US Military, Dr. Schmitz recently relocated to San Diego to join the dynamic Orthopaedics program at Rady Children’s San Diego and UCSD. Dr. Schmitz is married to an academic Emergency Medicine physician, Dr. Gillian Schmitz who was recently the President of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and they have 2 wonderful and active teenage daughters.
Image credit: IODA
