February 24, 2021, 9:47 am News Staff — The AAFP is advancing its ongoing work to confront health disparities with a new effort next month that will help determine what family physicians need so they can address health disparities and social determinants of health in their exam rooms and communities.
The work will begin with a short Diversity, Equity and Inclusion survey to assess the AAFP’s strengths and opportunities. The survey, administered by The Exeter Group, a health care equity consulting firm, should take only about seven minutes and will be anonymous. Focus groups will dig deeper into specific areas after initial findings are analyzed.
“The events of 2020 brought about heightened awareness of the inequities that continue to plague our nation,” said AAFP President Ada Stewart, M.D., of Columbia, S.C. “From societal divisiveness to health disparities that were further exposed by COVID-19, it’s an important time for us to build upon the work of the AAFP’s Center for Diversity and Health Equity and evaluate what additional support the AAFP can provide family physicians to ensure that all of their patients feel valued and respected as equal members of society.”
Members will be invited to take part in the DEI survey after completing the 2021 Member Satisfaction Survey. Watch for email with a link to the MSS around March 6. Those who have opted out of receiving survey and focus group emails can opt back in through the AAFP Email Preference Center or watch for a postcard with more information.
In addition to the DEI survey, the AAFP is working with Exeter on a similar effort to further the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as an employer.