The Value of a DEI-Focused Organizational Assessment

I.C.E. Exchange Program Description: Many organizations employ some form of organizational assessment to complete a systematic review of processes, structure, and work environment. It is not uncommon for a part of that assessment to include a portion on topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The American Board of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) wanted to take a deeper dive into the organization’s disposition on DEI principles, processes, and goals.

To begin this environmental scan, ABEM hired national experts in health equity and organizational change to administer a DEI Organizational Assessment solely focused on DEI. These expert consultants did extensive stakeholder engagement of staff, the board of directors, volunteers, and certificate holders. This was done through a variety of methods such as surveys, focus groups, and one on one interviews. From this work, a report was developed that touched on key themes that emerged including investment in training, creating goals and plans, strategic recruitment, updating exam content, and compensation for DEI activities.

The results of the assessment had a substantial impact on the organization. ABEM was able to take the data collected to inform strategic priorities around DEI at many levels of the organization. Some of the changes that ABEM implemented as a result of the DEI organizational assessment included: increased DEI training for staff, volunteers, and directors, update in volunteer and board member recruitment policies to make them more inclusive, development of a staff-led DEI workgroup, more inclusive collection of demographic information from certificate holders, and many more. ABEM will not only share the process of administering a DEI organizational assessment, but also the downstream impacts it had on the organization.