Top 3 reasons Minority students go to Medical School
Let’s face it, there are deep disparities in medicine and the medical workforce. Did you know that only 5% of doctors in the U.S. are Black, though we make up 13% of the U.S. population? There are other disparities in race included based on this graph by the AAMC below (AAMC, 2019):
We have yet to break these numbers down by minority doctors who are also immigrants. Particularly, these disparities in numbers stem from a deep history of Blacks being excluded from attending schools with whites among other racial practices in medicine itself that have been inflicted on the black body.
Yet, diversity in medicine has been at the forefront of many institutions in the last 4 years, especially since the racial uprisings initiated in 2020. So, who are these brave souls who dare to apply to medical school amidst such staunch racial barriers and setbacks? Well, I’m glad you asked. Many minority students in my experience enter the medical field for these top reasons:
To make our parents proud- Minority, (especially those of Afro-Caribbean) descent have a strong sense of making their parents proud. There is an unwritten expectation, that is largely outspoken by Afro-Caribbean parents that they want their children to excel academically and make the family proud. Minority students wouldn’t dare bring shame to the family household by neglecting their grades. Naturally, being a doctor, lawyer, or engineer are top professions imposed on minority first-generation children at a young age by their parents and is strongly linked with ‘success’. Therefore, many Black students from this cultural background pursue the field of medicine to bring honor, approval, and stature to the family name. Do not underestimate the strength of this conviction.
To Make money- Indeed, making 6 figures with one of the surest paths to job security is attractive. It’s sexy. It’s giving… “Mamma, I made it”. Having an understanding that you may accrue $200-300k in student loans on the journey to medicine, then make this similar amount annually as a full-time doctor in the United States is a fair trade for many students. We are drawn to financial stability and security and becoming a medical doctor affords this.
To Help others- Most times, minority students have experience with being underserved and possess a deep commitment and longing to impact change in their communities. In fact, racial concordance (when the provider is the same race as the patient) has been shown to improve patient outcomes (Shen et al, 2018). It is no wonder why institutions seeking to reduce health inequities commit to recruiting more minority doctors. Generally, minorities seek to live altruistic lives and help those they serve.
What about you? What do you think about these top 3 reasons? Are you considering becoming a Black doctor? Do share your comments below. Also, share with someone you know who may be interested in the medical field. Do subscribe to my newsletter for more support and content.
References:
AAMC. 2018. Diversity in Medicine: Facts and Figures 2019. Retrieved 7/15/2024: https://www.aamc.org/data-reports/workforce/data/figure-18-percentage-all-active-physicians-race/ethnicity-2018
Shen MJ, Peterson EB, Costas-Muñiz R, et al. The effects of race and racial concordance on patient-physician communication: a systematic review of the literature. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2018;5(1):117-140. doi:10.1007/s40615-017-0350-4
