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Time for a (Minority) Tax Cut : Examining the Responsibilities Faced by Women and Minorities Fostering Inclusivity in Orthopaedics

Schmerler, Jessica ; Gianakos, Arianna ; Antón, Ana Fernanda ; De Mattos, Camila Bedeschi Rego LU orcid and LaPorte, Dawn (2025) In Indian Journal of Orthopaedics
Abstract

Background: The existence of a “minority tax,” defined as the burden of extra responsibilities placed on minorities relative to non-minorities of the same position, has been documented across various fields, including and beyond medicine. This study sought to quantify the types and extent of the minority tax faced by minority orthopaedic surgeons, as well as evaluate the degree to which this work was recognised and/or compensated. Methods: A survey was distributed via email and social media through the international network of associations, collectives, and societies of minorities in orthopaedics. The survey assessed demographics, involvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, and characteristics of this work. Results: 290... (More)

Background: The existence of a “minority tax,” defined as the burden of extra responsibilities placed on minorities relative to non-minorities of the same position, has been documented across various fields, including and beyond medicine. This study sought to quantify the types and extent of the minority tax faced by minority orthopaedic surgeons, as well as evaluate the degree to which this work was recognised and/or compensated. Methods: A survey was distributed via email and social media through the international network of associations, collectives, and societies of minorities in orthopaedics. The survey assessed demographics, involvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, and characteristics of this work. Results: 290 orthopaedic surgeons from 37 countries completed the survey. Respondents were 91% female and 9% LGBTQ +. Fifty-seven percent reported engaging in DEI work. When asked if they worked on nights, weekends, or workdays, 22% indicated all three, and 30% indicated they worked on personal vacations. Only 18% had a title associated with their DEI work, with only one respondent (4%) indicating this was a paid position. Forty-six percent reported spending their own money on DEI work. Conclusions: This study is the first, to our knowledge, to quantify the minority tax in orthopaedic surgery. The results demonstrate that more than half of minority-identifying orthopaedic surgeons engage in DEI work, which involves a substantial investment of time and financial resources. Greater attention should be paid to deficits in compensation and recognition, with increased advocacy for fairness and equity for orthopaedic surgeons engaged in DEI work. Level of Evidence: III.

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author
; ; ; and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
keywords
DEI, Diversity, Equity and inclusion, Minorities, Minority tax, Women in orthopaedics
in
Indian Journal of Orthopaedics
article number
e2126983
publisher
Springer
external identifiers
  • scopus:105003099990
ISSN
0019-5413
DOI
10.1007/s43465-025-01392-8
language
English
LU publication?
no
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © Indian Orthopaedics Association 2025.
id
c03cfbf6-c9bd-4870-8627-b1f1792a9306
date added to LUP
2025-05-02 12:41:33
date last changed
2025-05-30 15:45:23
@article{c03cfbf6-c9bd-4870-8627-b1f1792a9306,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: The existence of a “minority tax,” defined as the burden of extra responsibilities placed on minorities relative to non-minorities of the same position, has been documented across various fields, including and beyond medicine. This study sought to quantify the types and extent of the minority tax faced by minority orthopaedic surgeons, as well as evaluate the degree to which this work was recognised and/or compensated. Methods: A survey was distributed via email and social media through the international network of associations, collectives, and societies of minorities in orthopaedics. The survey assessed demographics, involvement in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work, and characteristics of this work. Results: 290 orthopaedic surgeons from 37 countries completed the survey. Respondents were 91% female and 9% LGBTQ +. Fifty-seven percent reported engaging in DEI work. When asked if they worked on nights, weekends, or workdays, 22% indicated all three, and 30% indicated they worked on personal vacations. Only 18% had a title associated with their DEI work, with only one respondent (4%) indicating this was a paid position. Forty-six percent reported spending their own money on DEI work. Conclusions: This study is the first, to our knowledge, to quantify the minority tax in orthopaedic surgery. The results demonstrate that more than half of minority-identifying orthopaedic surgeons engage in DEI work, which involves a substantial investment of time and financial resources. Greater attention should be paid to deficits in compensation and recognition, with increased advocacy for fairness and equity for orthopaedic surgeons engaged in DEI work. Level of Evidence: III.</p>}},
  author       = {{Schmerler, Jessica and Gianakos, Arianna and Antón, Ana Fernanda and De Mattos, Camila Bedeschi Rego and LaPorte, Dawn}},
  issn         = {{0019-5413}},
  keywords     = {{DEI; Diversity, Equity and inclusion; Minorities; Minority tax; Women in orthopaedics}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Springer}},
  series       = {{Indian Journal of Orthopaedics}},
  title        = {{Time for a (Minority) Tax Cut : Examining the Responsibilities Faced by Women and Minorities Fostering Inclusivity in Orthopaedics}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s43465-025-01392-8}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s43465-025-01392-8}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}