Promoting equity, diversity and inclusion in intensive care: ESICM publishes new position paper

The European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) has published a new position paper reaffirming its commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) for intensive care professionals and patients. Developed by the ESICM Diversity and Inclusion Group and approved by the Executive Committee, the paper is available open access in Intensive Care Medicine.

The paper highlights how diverse teams can strengthen clinical decision-making and patient-centred care. It also addresses persistent barriers, underrepresentation in leadership and research, and the importance of ensuring that access to intensive care is based on clinical need. Building on progress since ESICM’s first position statement in 2019, the paper identifies key priorities for further action, including inclusive research, mentorship and career development, respectful workplaces, and the integration of EDI principles into clinical education and guidelines.

ESICM commits to:

• Advocating for equitable access to lifesaving and sustainable intensive care worldwide.
• Supporting mentorship, training and career advancement for underrepresented groups, in line with applicable legal frameworks.
• Promoting diversity in research populations and leadership.
• Fostering respectful workplaces free from discrimination, harassment and bias.
• Integrating evidence-based EDI principles into clinical education and guidelines.

Creating meaningful change requires collective commitment. ESICM invites the intensive care community to share experiences and best practices to help build a more equitable and inclusive future for intensive care medicine.