Using Accreditation to Transform Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts Into Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Systems

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education accreditation process is an important component of professional regulation and is used by medical schools to strengthen their medical education programs. Accreditation-related consultations with schools often include a review of relevant documents, stakeholder interviews, and mock site visits. A review by the author of this commentary of these consultations at 17 schools showed variability in how information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) was incorporated and discussed in accreditation-related materials and interviews. At all schools, DEI information emerged in materials related to the accreditation standards that specifically inquire into DEI. However, at some schools, DEI emerged more broadly across a variety of standards. These differences suggest that considering the totality of the Liaison Committee on Medical Education standards and elements may be a useful tool for enabling schools to analyze and describe their DEI efforts, consider additional ways to engage in continuous quality improvement related to DEI, and achieve institutional DEI goals. In addition, a small number of the reviewed schools appeared to have had particular success in meeting institutional DEI goals. An appreciative inquiry-informed review suggested that these exemplar schools had both area-specific and cross-functional systems focused on achieving DEI goals. In addition, senior leadership demonstrated a commitment to DEI, DEI champions were empowered, and leaders displayed legislative-style and systems leadership skills. Schools that nurture these characteristics may be better positioned to advance DEI. Scholarly evaluation of these observations is necessary.