This intervention describes how the creation and integration of highly realistic, racially inclusive surgical training models in medical education promotes diversity, equity, and inclusivity in medical education. This scalable, simple, reproducible, and innovative approach addresses the longstanding disparities in surgical training and patient care and produces positive outcomes for medical students, physicians, patients, and the communities. This intervention was accomplished through a unique collaboration between the College of Medicine and the College of the Arts at the University of Florida.

The first stage of this work was the development and fabrication of the inclusive surgical simulation models. This was accomplished through a collaboration with experts in medical simulation and medical arts. Together, the team designed anatomically and materially accurate surgical models that display a wide range of skin tones, ensuring a comprehensive representation of patient demographics. The models that were developed represent seven different skin tones. This ranged from highly melanated to lightly melanated—including a wide range of color tones and hues. Beneath the dermis lies three more layers of tissue: subcutaneous fat, fascia, and muscle, all realistically simulated. Students can practice a wide range of suturing techniques on these diverse, high-fidelity models.

The next stage of intervention was the incorporation of this novel educational tool into the medical curriculum. The medical students used the pads to practice suturing techniques in a collaborative skill training session with residents, faculty, and postdoctoral students. Using the pads, medical students were able to experience training scenarios that mirror the real-world diversity they will encounter in their future medical practice. The training sessions also emphasized effective communication and teamwork, encouraging students to navigate culturally sensitive situations and provide patient-centered care. The surgical simulation models were seamlessly incorporated into the curriculum, exposing students to a diverse patient population, and enhancing their cultural competence, empathy, and suturing techniques.

The integration of realistic, racially inclusive surgical models provides a range of positive outcomes for medical education and healthcare. One of the most significant benefits has been the enhancement of cultural competence among medical students.

Training with the models helps to demonstrate a diverse patient population. This equips medical students with the skills to provide appropriate and culturally sensitive care, contributing to a reduction of healthcare disparities. We believe graduates who undergo training with these inclusive models will be better prepared to address the healthcare needs of a diverse population, thus playing a crucial role in minimizing health inequalities.

Another pivotal outcome is the improvement in patient care. We believe medical professionals who have trained using these realistic surgical models have demonstrated increased levels of patient empathy and engagement. These benefits for patients include increased patient understanding and, ultimately, improved clinical outcomes. We have found that the simple yet effective act of presenting medical students with a range of skin tones has a huge impact on their learning experience and, most importantly, future improved patient care.