Embracing unity at OMERACT: Valuing equity, promoting diversity, fostering inclusivity.

Maxwell LJ, Wright GC, Schultz G, Grosskleg S, Barton JL, Campbell W, Guillemin F, Hofstetter C, Shea BJ, Simon LS, Adebajo A, Barnabe C, Goel N, Hurley P, Nikiphorou E, Petkovic J, Tugwell P. Embracing unity at OMERACT: Valuing equity, promoting diversity, fostering inclusivity. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism. 2024 Jun 1; 66:152422.

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• IIR 20-162 – Implementation of shared decision making in rheumatoid arthritis: A stepped wedge, cluster-randomized trial

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Abstract:

OBJECTIVE: To increase awareness and understanding of the principles of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) within Outcome Measures in Rheumatology''s (OMERACT) members. For this, we aimed to obtain ideas on how to promote and foster these principles within the organization and determine the diversity of the current membership in order to focus future efforts. METHODS: We held a plenary workshop session at OMERACT 2023 with roundtable discussions on barriers and solutions to increased diversity within OMERACT. We conducted an anonymous, web-based survey of members to record characteristics including population group, gender identity, education level, age, and ability. RESULTS: The workshop generated ideas to increase diversity of participants across the themes of building relationships [12 topics], materials and methods [5 topics], and conference-specific [6 topics]. Four hundred and seven people responded to the survey (25 % response rate). The majority of respondents were White (75 %), female (61 %), university-educated (94 %), Christian (42 %), spoke English at home (60 %), aged 35 to 55 years (50 %), and did not report a disability (64 %). CONCLUSION: OMERACT is committed to improving its diversity. Next steps include strategic recruitment of members to the EDI working group, drafting an EDI mission statement centering equity and inclusivity in the organization, and developing guidance for the OMERACT Handbook to help all working groups create actionable plans for promoting EDI principles.