Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

Analyzing the deficit of African-Americans in academic medicine

Mary Branch, MD
Education
July 25, 2015
817 Shares
Share
Tweet
Share

shutterstock_256955077

The number of African-American physicians in academic medicine is dismal, and this leads to an abundance of problems.  Academic hospitals (teaching hospitals associated with universities) generally do not have a proportionate representation of underrepresented minority faculty as compared to the surrounding population. According to a U.S. News & World Report article, the number of African-American faculty increased by 0.2 percent in ten years from the year 2000 to 2010; yet, the growth of this group in the general population was 30 percent. This fact has been duly noted and highlighted as a discrepancy that deserves attention. The Institute of Medicine writes:

[We have] defined the climate for diversity as “the perceptions, attitudes, and expectations that define the institution, particularly as seen from the perspectives of individuals of different racial or ethnic backgrounds.” Though there may be various drivers of poor recruitment, retention, and promotion of black faculty members, the role of institutional bias and the climate for black faculty at academic medical centers deserve scrutiny. By any measure, academic medicine’s persistent difficulty in developing black faculty members is a serious concern.

The lack of African-American faculty at academic hospitals is concerning for several reasons.  According to the New England Journal of Medicine article, “Bias, Black Lives, and Academic Medicine,” many African-Americans may not trust physicians of other races as much as they would someone of their same race. This mistrust dates back hundreds of years and has been ingrained in the African-American culture. There is a long history of unethical experimentation on Black individuals including the Tuskegee Project and Mississippi Appendectomies (see Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present by Harriet A. Washington).  Still, years later, although there are now institutional review boards designed to ensure such atrocities never happen again, this mistrust remains.  When caring for patients, trust is of utmost importance.  If patients do not heed their physician’s advice, this can lead to increased hospitalizations, morbidity, mortality, and ultimately health disparities.

Why is there a deficit of African-Americans in academic medicine? There are a number of contributors to this problem, not the least of which is that African-Americans make up a small percentage (6.1 percent in 2011) of medical school students in the U.S. and there has actually been a recent decline in the number of African-American males who are applying to medical school. Fewer black medical students means that there will be fewer black faculty.  Subsequently the lack of racial diversity among academic faculty becomes discouraging to a multitude of medical students, residents, and fellows who perceive there are no available mentors for them (do note that this is a perception because many successful physicians have been mentored by individuals from a different race).  This problem, therefore, becomes a cycle … a very vicious cycle!

Pertaining to mentoring, those who are successful in academic medicine have stood on the shoulders of giants; this is crucial and fundamental for the developing physician and scientist. Consider the fact that many clinicians in academic medicine are encouraged to conduct research. How can one be successful in research at the university level without excellent mentorship?  This requires an extensive background in basic laboratory or translational work. In 2013, African-Americans only made up less than 5 percent of postdoctoral research fellows conducting scientific research. Considering diversity in research is abysmal, this can build a cultural barrier. This barrier may be preventing African-American students from pursuing research and building curriculum vitae for a career in academic medicine.

The lack of diversity in academic medicine is a significant issue that can compromise our patients’ health and the education of our training clinicians.  There is a vicious cycle in which there are few black academic physicians, leading to seemingly fewer available mentors for black students, which in turn leads to even less of them pursuing careers in academic medicine.  As a medical community at large, it is imperative that we understand the implications of this problem, not just on the black patient population, but on the nation as a whole.  Its effects ripple through our economy and finances, public health/disease transmission, and educational infrastructure.  Knowing this, it is more important now than ever that we promote diversity in academic medicine and to be more specific, that we encourage students, residents, and fellows to pursue such careers.

“Dr. Mary” is a physician who blogs at Diverse Medicine.

Image credit: Shutterstock.com

Prev

Surviving an EHR launch: The trauma of Go Live

July 25, 2015 Kevin 3
…
Next

Why ProPublica's Surgeon Scorecard is worth celebrating

July 26, 2015 Kevin 12
…

Tagged as: Medical school

Post navigation

< Previous Post
Surviving an EHR launch: The trauma of Go Live
Next Post >
Why ProPublica's Surgeon Scorecard is worth celebrating

More by Mary Branch, MD

  • Family principles of COVID-19 heroes

    Mary Branch, MD
  • Quotes and songs to help you survive COVID-19

    Mary Branch, MD
  • The story of a new physician mother

    Mary Branch, MD

Related Posts

  • Medicine is failing rural Americans

    Michael McCarthy
  • Why academic medicine needs to value physician contributions to online platforms

    Ariela L. Marshall, MD
  • How social media can advance humanism in medicine

    Pooja Lakshmin, MD
  • Translating social justice into meaningful change for underrepresented minorities in academic medicine

    Keila Lopez, MD, MPH and Jean Raphael, MD, MPH
  • Asian-Americans for cross-racial solidarity in medicine

    Angela Y. Zhang, Paul Park, Russyan Mark Mabeza, Rohan Khazanchi, and Ryan Huerto, MD, MPH
  • The difference between learning medicine and doing medicine

    Steven Zhang, MD

More in Education

  • The secret to success in medical school: self-awareness and courage

    Kaelor Gordon
  • Is mandating pre-medical training widening disparities in the U.S. physician workforce?

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • Equalizing the future of medical residencies: standardizing work hours and wages

    Deepak Gupta, MD and Sarwan Kumar, MD
  • From studying to baby kicks: Navigating motherhood in medical school

    Natalie Eichner-Seitz
  • The power of advocacy: a medical student’s journey to helping an uninsured immigrant

    Fabiola Plaza
  • From AI to love: the key to a better future in medical education

    Stevan Walkowski, DO
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

      Greg Smith, MD | Conditions
    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Tom Brady’s legacy and the importance of personal integrity in end-of-life choices

      Kevin Haselhorst, MD | Physician
    • The hidden truths of hospital life: What doctors wish you knew

      Emily Stanford, DO | Physician
    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
    • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • Safe sex for seniors: Dispelling myths and embracing safe practices [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 40 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • Journal Shows Its Commitment to Exploring AI in Medicine
  • Do Away With 'Lockout' Period in iPLEDGE, FDA Advisors Urge
  • Cluster Headache, Migraine Linked to Circadian System
  • Smaller Liver Transplant Candidates Wait Longer, Less Likely to Receive Organ
  • A 'Double Whammy' for Gastric Cancer Risk

Meeting Coverage

  • Oral Roflumilast Effective in the Treatment of Plaque Psoriasis
  • Phase III Trials 'Hit a Home Run' in Advanced Endometrial Cancer
  • Cannabis Use Common in Post-Surgery Patients on Opioid Tapering
  • Less Abuse With Extended-Release Oxycodone, Poison Center Data Suggest
  • Novel Strategies Show Winning Potential in Ovarian Cancer
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • What is driving physicians to the edge of despair?

      Edward T. Creagan, MD | Physician
    • The untold struggles patients face with resident doctors

      Denise Reich | Conditions
    • The psychoanalytic hammer: lessons in listening and patient-centered care

      Greg Smith, MD | Conditions
    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Revolutionizing COPD management with virtual care solutions [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • The real cause of America’s opioid crisis: Doctors are not to blame

      Richard A. Lawhern, PhD | Meds
    • The fight for reproductive health: Why medication abortion matters

      Catherine Hennessey, MD | Physician
    • The vital importance of climate change education in medical schools

      Helen Kim, MD | Policy
    • Nobody wants this job. Should physicians stick around?

      Katie Klingberg, MD | Physician
    • It’s time for C-suite to contract directly with physicians for part-time work

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Corinne Sundar Rao, MD | Physician
    • Resetting the doctor-patient relationship: Navigating the challenges of modern primary care

      Jeffrey H. Millstein, MD | Physician
  • Recent Posts

    • Breaking free from a toxic relationship with medicine [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Tom Brady’s legacy and the importance of personal integrity in end-of-life choices

      Kevin Haselhorst, MD | Physician
    • The hidden truths of hospital life: What doctors wish you knew

      Emily Stanford, DO | Physician
    • 10 commandments of ethical affiliate marketing for physicians

      Aaron Morgenstein, MD & Amy Bissada, DO | Finance
    • The heart of a Desi doctor: Balancing emotions and resources in oncology

      Dr. Damane Zehra | Physician
    • Safe sex for seniors: Dispelling myths and embracing safe practices [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today iMedicalApps
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

Analyzing the deficit of African-Americans in academic medicine
40 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...