How Can You Take Action?
Contribute to the IODA Global Community's Efforts
Every effort, no matter the size, helps towards a culture in global orthopaedics where everyone can thrive. We understand that all members do not have the same capacity to contribute and appreciate the support of those who are able .
There are many ways you can be an active member of the IODA community or increase inclusion in your department. See our "Tips for an Inclusive Orthopaedic Department" on this page. Please reach out if you have other skills or suggestions to share.
How Can I Contribute?
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Become an IODA member - it's free!
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Complete the meet-a-member form - visible role models are important!
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Send a 30 second video via email or social media - tell us about yourself and why you joined IODA.
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Join the Mentorship Program - mentor a surgeon, trainee or student.
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Contribute to a Journal Club panel - discuss your own diversity paper or present one.
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Propose or participate in a Webinar.
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Sign up to the Speaker List - promote diverse expertise.​​
Creative?
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We'd love your help with social media content.
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​​Contact your Regional Representative to contribute to local initiatives.
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Invite your organisation to sign the IODA Charter - a commitment to diversity.
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Contribute to the IODA Newsletter.
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Donate to IODA (Paypal) - Our board are all volunteers. All funding goes towards the development & administration of IODA and its diversity initiatives.
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Follow & amplify IODA on social media.
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Join the IODA Board of Directors or a Committee - we advertise all vacancies.
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Arrange a casual IODA member meet-up at your next orthopaedic meeting. ​​
Tips for an Inclusive Orthopaedic Department
Institutional & Cultural Strategies
​Mentorship and Sponsorship:
Ask your staff & resident/trainees to join the IODA mentorship platform and establish sponsorship programs to guide and support individuals from diverse backgrounds, helping them navigate their careers in orthopaedics. ​​
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Psychological Safety:
Cultivate a work environment where everyone feels safe to express their ideas and concerns without fear of judgment or retaliation. ​
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Work-Life Integration:
Implement policies and practices that support work-life balance, such as providing dependent care travel grants, lactation rooms, and childcare assistance to support new parents. ​​
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Early Exposure and Pipeline Development:
Create pathways and programs to expose underrepresented groups to orthopaedics from an early stage to build a more diverse future workforce. ​
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Allyship and Education:
Educate staff about identifying personal biases, understanding privilege, and actively supporting marginalized voices to build a more inclusive culture.
Recruitment & Retention Strategies
​Targeted Recruitment:
Enhance recruitment efforts to attract a more diverse applicant pool by promoting orthopaedics as a career choice to a broader range of individuals.
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Institutional Culture:
Foster inclusive institutional cultures that are essential for both recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce.
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Faculty Diversity:
Promote diversity among faculty members to increase the likelihood of recruiting diverse medical students and residents into the field.
Policy & Clinical Strategies
Gender-Inclusive & Culturally-Inclusive Guidelines:
Develop and implement clinical guidelines and assessment tools that are inclusive and equitable, addressing disparities in patient care. ​
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Equitable Research Funding:
Advocate for equitable research funding to ensure a wider range of perspectives and needs are addressed. ​
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Addressing Harassment and Bias:
Implement codes of conduct and programs to address sexual harassment and unconscious bias, which are significant factors driving individuals from orthopaedics. ​
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Supporting Individuals with Disabilities or Medical Conditions:
Develop programs to support individuals with disabilities in the field of orthopaedics, beginning the conversation about how to navigate the specialty with a medical condition.
Leadership & Advocacy
​Leadership Roles:
Work to achieve diverse and inclusive representation in orthopaedic board and leadership roles. ​
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Public Awareness:
Raise public awareness of diversity issues and celebrate the successes of under-represented groups to shift perceptions and encourage broader participation.
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​Engagement and Outreach:
Engage in community initiatives and outreach programs to promote orthopaedics and highlight the importance of diversity.