Considerations of equity, diversity and inclusion in peer reviews conducted for Medical Education

Abstract

cultural dialogue and share diverse perspectives with our readership 1 make this an ideal time to consider how equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) issues are, or are not, reflected within our field. Efforts by authors in thisMedical Education issue to engage in cross-cultural dialogue and share diversity of perspectives with our readership 1 make this an ideal time to consider how EDI issues are, or are not, reflected in the work within our field. The racial reckoning in North America in response to anti-Black racism and the awakening in colonial states including Canada and Australia regarding treatment of Indigenous peoples highlight how systems and structures oppress individuals from underrepresented groups. Such situations foreground the need for research to consider EDI in pursuit of social justice. Medical education is no exception. Its research shapes understanding of how learning occurs, what curricular content and pedagogical strategies are needed, how outcomes are measured, and what outcomes are achieved. As with most scientific disciplines, however, the field has predominantly reflected the work and views of individuals with power and privilege. 2 Scientific publications disproportionately originate from the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands. In these (and many other) nations, research is traditionally conducted by academic faculty who are disproportionately senior, White, and male compared to the population. 3-5 Emphasis on certain research topics, methods, approaches, and interpretations, therefore yields published literature primarily reflective of the perspectives and experiences of White, Eurocentric scholars. 6 To disrupt these ingrained practices and assumptions, and broaden the published health professions, education literature, researchers, reviewers, and editors must prioritize social justice within scholarly work.Medical Education has, therefore, publicly committed to supporting EDI throughout the manuscript production process, from submission to peer review and publication. 7 As one critical step, the journal strengthened attention to EDI issues during peer review by adding a field to the structured peer reviewer form. 8 Since 2022, that form instructs reviewers: "We have added this section to our review form to encourage reflection on the part of authors and reviewers regarding whether sufficient consideration is being paid to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) in our research and evaluation efforts. Where appropriate, please