Inclusivity and IMGs in Residency Selections: Literature Review and Shared Experiences to Mitigate Bias

Several studies and recommendations have been put forth to promote inclusivity and mitigate bias in the residency selection process. We will review recent articles to identify the unique challenges faced by international medical graduates (IMGs) and programs attempting to be inclusive of IMGs. We will first review the evidence regarding the importance of IMGs, including in workforce and researchas well as to quality of care provided. Match data from 2022 showed that 40% of filled PGY-1 categorical internal medicine slots were IMGs, a slight increase from the previous year of 39%. Furthermore, 68% of those IMGs were non-US IMGs. The majority of the workshop will focus on published literatureabout the challenges including Step 1 pass/fail, Step 2CS cancellation, virtual interviews and potential solutions to mitigate bias for IMGs in US residency selection processes. Following the literature review, we will share our experiences as a mix of USMG and IMG program directors, DIOs, and IMG residents at a mix of community and university based programs. This workshop will use a combination of evidence-based presentations, large group discussion, and small group breakout sessions to identify challenges in inclusivity for IMGs and explore strategies to mitigate bias for IMGs in residency selection. At the conclusion, we will provide a deliverable of an annotated bibliography of the literature on the topic.