Publication Date
7-1-2021
Journal
Pediatrics
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: A diverse pediatric workforce reflecting the racial/ethnic representation of the US population is an important factor in eliminating health inequities. Studies reveal minimal improvements over time in the proportions of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) physicians; however, studies assessing trends in pediatric URiM trainee representation are limited. Our objective was to evaluate longitudinal trends in racial/ethnic representation among a cross-section of US pediatric trainees and to compare it to the US population.
METHODS: Repeated cross-sectional study of graduate medical education census data on self-reported race/ethnicity of pediatric residents and subspecialty fellows from 2007 to 2019. To evaluate trends in URiM proportions over time, the Cochran-Armitage test was performed. Data on self-reported race/ethnicity of trainees were compared with the general population data over time by using US Census Bureau data.
RESULTS: Trends in URiM proportions were unchanged in residents (16% in 2007 to 16.5% in 2019;
CONCLUSIONS: The continued underrepresentation of URiM pediatric trainees may perpetuate persistent health inequities for minority pediatric populations. There is a critical need to recruit and retain pediatric URiM residents and subspecialty fellows.
Keywords
Cross-Sectional Studies, Cultural Diversity, Ethnicity, Healthcare Disparities, Humans, Internship and Residency, Pediatrics, Racial Groups, United States
Comments
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PMID: 34131043