Approximately one-third of Black medical students reported experiencing discrimination during their time in medical school, which is the highest rate compared to any other racial or ethnic group, as stated in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The study highlighted how experiences of racial and ethnic discrimination can impact the well-being and success of medical students, leading to issues such as depression, burnout, and higher rates of dropping out. It also pointed out that subtle acts of racial bias in the clinical learning environment can hinder the professional growth of students from minority groups, making them feel alienated and invisible. This constant vigilance against discrimination can create a negative learning atmosphere.
The discrimination faced by medical students has a significant impact on their personal and professional development, especially for Black students who are already underrepresented in medical schools. This lack of representation also extends to the healthcare workforce, which is predominantly composed of white and Asian doctors and fails to reflect the racial diversity of patient populations. This disparity in representation has been linked to poorer health outcomes.
Out of the 37,610 medical students surveyed, 48.4 percent were female, 51.6 percent were male, 6.5 percent were African American or Black, 20.7 percent were Asian, 6.5 percent were Hispanic, 56.9 percent were white, 6.4 percent were multiracial, and 3 percent identified as another race or ethnicity.
Black students and those from other racial and ethnic minority groups reported experiencing discrimination more frequently than their white counterparts. The study found that African American or Black students were less likely to feel that medical school contributed to their personal and professional growth compared to white students. Additionally, an increase in experiences of discrimination was linked to a decrease in the perception of medical school supporting their development.