Trainee perceptions of equity, diversity, and inclusion within Canadian vascular surgery training programs

Background Recent shifts in the culture of surgical training has resulted in efforts to increase the diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) for historically under-represented trainees. We aimed to investigate Canadian vascular surgery resident perceptions of DEI within their surgical training programs. Methods An anonymous online survey was distributed to all Canadian vascular surgery trainees in March 2025. The survey included questions surrounding respondent demographics, program diversity, professional experiences with respect to DEI, and mistreatment and discrimination. Results The survey received 22 responses (30% of Canadian trainees), 45.5% from men and 54.5% from women. Respondents had diverse ethnic backgrounds: 59.1% were European, 22.7% were Middle Eastern, 13.6% were East Asian, 9.1% were South Asian, 4.5% were African, and 4.5% were Jewish. The majority of respondents (95.2%) felt their program included trainees from diverse backgrounds, particularly in the areas of age, ethnicity, gender, religion, and rural/urban background. Faculty was reported as diverse by 52.4% of trainees, with 52.4% reporting their program was similar in diversity compared with other programs at their institution. Women were more likely to report feeling their gender negatively influences their professional opportunities (45.5% vs 0%) and others' perception of their medical competency (75.0% vs 10.0%) compared with men. Ethnicity was perceived to positively influence career opportunities by 16.2% of European trainees and negatively influence opportunities by 25.0% of visible minority trainees. Throughout residency, 54.5% of trainees reported experiencing discrimination on the basis of age, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, or religion, primarily by patients and nursing staff. Seventy percent of trainees reported witnessing a colleague experience discrimination during their training. These experiences were perceived to be associated with burnout (35.7%) and contemplating quitting residency (23.1%). Conclusions Canadian vascular surgery trainees reported high diversity in their training cohorts. However, throughout residency, 54.5% of trainees reported experiencing discrimination, which was perceived to be associated with burnout and thoughts of leaving residency.