Assessing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Patient-Facing Websites in Neurosurgery

Introduction: Patient-facing websites serve as essential platforms for disseminating information, engaging with patients, and increasing access to neurosurgical resources and services. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are at the forefront of issues facing the field of neurosurgery, especially in regards to race and gender disparities relating to providers in the field.

Methods: Data was collected in regards to the race and gender of patients and providers displayed on the neurosurgery department's patient facing website in addition to disabilities, decreased ability to pay, and language.

Results: Patients that were caucasian were depicted more commonly than those of color (69% v. 31%, (p < 0.00001). Caucasian patients were also over-represented when compared with the average demographics of the communities in which the hospitals served (p=0.03846). Neurosurgical providers that were caucasian outnumbered those of color (70% v. 30%, p< 0.00001). The racial depiction of providers was comparable to racial disparities currently observed in neurosurgery (p=0.59612). Female neurosurgery providers were seen less than male providers on patient facing websites (p < 0.00001), but were seen more commonly on patient facing websites than the percentage of practicing neurosurgeons they currently comprise (28% v. 8%, p< 0.00001).

Conclusion : The results of this study suggest that patient facing websites of neurosurgical departments are an area of improvement in regards to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the field of neurosurgery. Disparities are noted in regards to the racial depiction of patients and further call to attention racial and gender disparities in the field of neurosurgery.