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K. MacKay1, L. Macaskill1, H. Toews1, J. Hoard1, J. Seabrook1-5, C. O’Connor1,2,5;
1School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON
2Department of Pediatrics, Western University, London, ON, 3Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON,4Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON, 5Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON

Brescia University College is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive dietetic profession. Post-graduate dietetic practicum programs are the gateway to the profession and could exclude eligible applicants due to biases in the application review process. Our purpose is to share strategies used to blind reviewers to applicants’ identifying information in the application process to Brescia’s Diploma in Dietetic Education and Practical Training and Master of Science in Foods and Nutrition programs.

Applicants were assigned a unique identifier and identifying elements of the application were removed prior to review by the selection committee. The committee reviewed applicants and assigned scores. After the ranking was complete, names of the candidates were revealed.

A blinded and non-blinded committee were formed. The blinded review committee (BRC) (n=7) reviewed applications for selection into the programs. The non-blinded committee (NBC) (n=4) had access to all applicant identifying information. Once applications were processed, identifying information was removed by the NBC before review by the BRC. The BRC scored the application packages. Casper, “an online, open-response situational judgment test” was included as an application requirement. To determine final ranking of applicants, z-scores from three components (academic average, application package, and Casper score) were considered. Once the ranking was determined, applicants were unblinded and offers were sent in the order of the ranking until all positions were filled. Applicants were offered the opportunity to share their racial identity; collecting this information will aid in tracking efforts to diversify the applicant pool.

Blinding elements can be successfully integrated into the applicant review processes.

This strategy can serve as a model for adopting a blinded admission process.

Diversity in the dietetic profession is needed. Blinding the application process to practicum programs to reduce bias is one strategy that can contribute to diversifying dietetics.

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