Jonathan S Abelson1, Matthew M Symer1, Heather L Yeo2, Paris D Butler3, Patrick T Dolan1, Tracy A Moo1, Anthony C Watkins4. 1. Department of Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th St., New York, NY, 10065, USA. 2. Department of Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th St., New York, NY, 10065, USA; Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th St., New York, NY, 10065, USA. 3. Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania, 3400 Civic Center Boulevard, PCAM South Tower 14, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA. 4. Department of Surgery, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medicine, 525 East 68th St., New York, NY, 10065, USA. Electronic address: acw9003@med.cornell.edu.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: This study provides an updated description of diversity along the academic surgical pipeline to determine what progress has been made. METHODS: Data was extracted from a variety of publically available data sources to determine proportions of minorities in medical school, general surgery training, and academic surgery leadership. RESULTS: In 2014-2015, Blacks represented 12.4% of the U.S. population, but only 5.7% graduating medical students, 6.2% general surgery trainees, 3.8% assistant professors, 2.5% associate professors and 2.0% full professors. From 2005-2015, representation among Black associate professors has gotten worse (-0.07%/year, p < 0.01). Similarly, in 2014-2015, Hispanics represented 17.4% of the U.S. population but only 4.5% graduating medical students, 8.5% general surgery trainees, 5.0% assistant professors, 5.0% associate professors and 4.0% full professors. There has been modest improvement in Hispanic representation among general surgery trainees (0.2%/year, p < 0.01), associate (0.12%/year, p < 0.01) and full professors (0.13%/year, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Despite efforts to promote diversity in surgery, Blacks and Hispanics remain underrepresented. A multi-level national focus is imperative to elucidate effective mechanisms to make academic surgery more reflective of the US population.
BACKGROUND: This study provides an updated description of diversity along the academic surgical pipeline to determine what progress has been made. METHODS: Data was extracted from a variety of publically available data sources to determine proportions of minorities in medical school, general surgery training, and academic surgery leadership. RESULTS: In 2014-2015, Blacks represented 12.4% of the U.S. population, but only 5.7% graduating medical students, 6.2% general surgery trainees, 3.8% assistant professors, 2.5% associate professors and 2.0% full professors. From 2005-2015, representation among Black associate professors has gotten worse (-0.07%/year, p < 0.01). Similarly, in 2014-2015, Hispanics represented 17.4% of the U.S. population but only 4.5% graduating medical students, 8.5% general surgery trainees, 5.0% assistant professors, 5.0% associate professors and 4.0% full professors. There has been modest improvement in Hispanic representation among general surgery trainees (0.2%/year, p < 0.01), associate (0.12%/year, p < 0.01) and full professors (0.13%/year, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Despite efforts to promote diversity in surgery, Blacks and Hispanics remain underrepresented. A multi-level national focus is imperative to elucidate effective mechanisms to make academic surgery more reflective of the US population.
Authors: Cherie P Erkmen; Katherine A Ortmeyer; Glenn J Pelletier; Ourania Preventza; David T Cooke Journal: Ann Thorac Surg Date: 2020-12-17 Impact factor: 4.330
Authors: Jasmine A Khubchandani; Rachel B Atkinson; Gezzer Ortega; Emma Reidy; John T Mullen; Douglas S Smink Journal: J Surg Res Date: 2021-12-20 Impact factor: 2.192