Table 1.

ICON micro level – attributes, attribute definitions and sample features

Domain	Attribute	Attribute definition	Example features*	Examples of considerations related to equity, diversity and inclusion
Actors	Patient/client/ consumer population	“Patient/client/consumer population” refers to the people receiving services. This attribute reflects the characteristics of patients/clients/consumers when considered as a group, rather than as individuals; thus all features considered for inclusion here have to be generalizable to a patient population (an attribute that could be potentially measured and aggregated)	• Patient/client/consumer demographics • Patient/client/consumer expectations/preferences	• Do patient/client/consumer’s equity factors (for example, place of residence, race, ethnicity, culture, language, indigenous identity, occupational status, gender, sex, gender identity, religious affiliations, educational level, socioeconomic status, social capital, age, disability, sexual preferences and relationships [61] or the intersectional combinations of these factors) affect their ability to access care, their experience with care, interactions with service providers, the quality of care they receive, their participation in care or the extent to which they are engaged in changing the type and quality of care that they/their community or population receive? • What are the health inequities in this community or population? • What are the relevant social determinants of health for this community or population?
	Service provider population	“Service provider population” refers to the characteristics, expertise and behaviour of the individuals working as providers of services. This attribute reflects individuals when considered as a group rather than as individuals; thus all features considered for inclusion here have to be generalizable to a service provider population	• Healthcare provider role • Professional development (continuing education) • Foundational healthcare provider education • Growth and career advancement • Skill set • Self-efficacy • Experience • Autonomy • Accountability • Adherence to code of ethics • Privacy and confidentiality obligation • Compulsion to act • Job satisfaction • Attitudes • Tolerance of ambiguity • Organizational commitment • Buy-in to change • Personal perception of liability • Economic incentive	• Do the service providers’ education, role, experience and skill impact their ability to consider inequities? • Do equity factors (for example, place of residence, race, ethnicity, culture, language, indigenous identity, occupational status, gender, sex, gender identity, religious affiliations, educational level, socioeconomic status, social capital, age, disability, sexual preferences and relationships [61] or the intersectional combinations of these factors) of service providers impact their growth and career advancement, attitudes, autonomy and job satisfaction? • What ethical, privacy and confidentiality considerations do service providers need to consider regarding equity-deprived populations?

*Example features – definitions of features are in Additional file 4