Biomedical
Themes and Topics on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in JMIR Dermatology Publications
Peer Reviewed
Abstract
Publications dealing with topics considered to be pertinent to diversity, equity, and inclusion are increasing. Due to the increasing trend, dermatology journals have started to implement ways to evaluate and understand these publications. Here, we discuss a keyword approach to identify and then categorize these publications. Keywords identified 43 manuscripts. Two reviewers screened the articles’ titles and abstracts, and recommended a full manuscript review for 24 publications. Through the scope of definitions from the National Institutes of Health, an editorial board member performed a full-text review and assigned a primary theme to the publications. Themes included equity (n=20) and diversity/inclusion (n=4). Topics were racial/ethnic differences in care delivery or society (n=17), incomplete understanding of gender and sex (n=3), gender identity (n=2), socioeconomic class and its impact on health (n=1), care for rural underserved communities (n=1), and religion (n=1). The results of this review demonstrate a predominance of equity-related publications, particularly emphasizing racial/ethnic differences in health care delivery, in the publications identified in JMIR Dermatology. Future research can focus on creating a review aid to assist editorial board members when providing feedback to manuscripts, refining the keywords, and using thematic analysis methodology to evaluate large sets of publications.
Key Questions
What is the primary focus of the study conducted by Rodriguez et al.?
The study examines the prevalence and focus areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within dermatology literature, identifying predominant themes and topics.
What are the main topics highlighted in the study?
The study highlights topics such as racial and ethnic differences in healthcare delivery, incomplete understanding of gender and sex, gender identity, socioeconomic class and its impact on health, care for rural underserved communities, and religion.
What recommendations do the authors make for future research in dermatology?
The authors advocate for a more comprehensive approach to DEI in dermatology, suggesting that future research should address a broader range of topics to promote inclusivity and equity within the field.
