Anesthesiology

This chapter will review the rationale for physician workforce diversity in the field of Anesthesiology, and the specialty’s current and historical trends in demographic representation of women and historically underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, which are currently underrepresented as practicing physicians, faculty, and residents compared with their representation in the US population. Evidence suggests that a more diverse physician workforce leads to better outcomes in pain management, better therapeutic alliance, and improved quality of patient care. Studies also suggest that the greatest barriers to achieving a more representative physician workforce lies in inadequate recruitment and retention strategies. Top-down efforts inclusive of research, mentorship, sponsorship, and evaluation of institutional practices are needed to ensure that the future Anesthesiology physician workforce match the increasingly diverse population that it serves.