Brit J Hosp Med
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Editorial Review
Diversity in Cardiovascular Care: Advancing Health Equity.
Health inequities exist in cardiovascular care and outcomes, especially among women, older people, individuals from racial and ethnic minorities, lower income and rural communities often those most vulnerable to adverse health outcomes. Such diverse groups form most of the patient population but they are rarely reflected in the composition of the cardiovascular care workforce. ⋯ Such diversity also benefits student and staff development and strengthens organizational performance. A work environment and culture that embraces and celebrates diversity will likely advance health equity.
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Locally Employed Doctors (LEDs) are defined as any doctor below consultant grade, appointed within a UK National Health Service (NHS) Trust, who are not working within a national training scheme. They are a cohort significantly increasing in numbers. International Medical Graduates (IMGs) are overseas-qualified doctors who contribute to more than 30% of the workforce-related deficit in the number of UK-qualified doctors required to meet NHS requirements. ⋯ The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) recently produced new guidance stating the basic principle that all doctors should be considered as being in training. LEDs are junior doctors with educational needs, yet they do not receive the same opportunities as their training-grade equivalents. Moving forward, we would advocate a UK-wide process which will help the NHS develop a strong and cohesive workforce, whether they are locally or nationally employed.