Diversity and Inclusion in Internal Medicine Training Programs: An Unfulfilled Dream

Abstract

BackgroundPromoting a diversified healthcare force fosters more culturally centered care, expands the approach to high-quality healthcare for poorly served populations, improves patient contentment, and broadens research agendas, all components essential to minimize healthcare imbalances. Our study reviews the trends of gender and racial disparity in Internal Medicine residency programs. MethodologyIn this retrospective analysis, we extracted data from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education's annual Data Resource Books from 2007 to 2019. Gender was reported as males and females. Race/ethnicity was cataloged as White/non-Hispanic, Black/non-Hispanic, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American/Alaskan, others, and unknown. ResultsThe representation of women increased progressively, with a relative increase of 4.7% from 2007 to 2019. For race/ethnicity, the study period started from the year 2011. When averaged across the eight-year study period, 27% of the study sample were White (non-Hispanic), followed by Asian/Pacific Islanders at 21%. The representation of other races was even lower. For 36.2% of the residents, the racial data were not known and categorized as unknown racial distribution. ConclusionsOur study reports that gender and racial/ethnic imbalance persists within the training programs of Internal Medicine. Effectual strategies should be implemented to improve access to care to the underrepresented communities, address physician shortages in different areas of the country, and strengthen our ability to address long-established disparities in healthcare and outcomes.