A Racial/Ethnic Comparison of Personal and Program Barriers Across American Medical Schools

• In Event: Access to the Profesions

Abstract

Race/ethnicity is an important contributor to workforce diversity in medicine. Using theory of professional socialization and qualitative research design (Miles and Huberman’s approach), we compared participant barriers in the Doctor of Medicine programs across race/ethnicity. We found qualitative differences (and similarities) across different groups. Minority and gender barriers were most widely reported. Gender and program barriers were prevalent across all groups. Financial barriers were experienced by minorities alone. 43% of White males reported no barriers. While some Black women viewed their ethnicity as barrier, others viewed their gender as barrier, drawing attention to the concept of self-identity and beliefs. Personal and institutional barriers influenced one another. Our findings advance our understanding about how personal identity and institutional characteristics shape barriers.

Authors

• Robert H. Tai, University of Virginia

• Devasmita Chakraverty, University of Virginia

• Donna B. Jeffe, Washington University in St. Louis

• Dorothy Andriole, Washington University in St. Louis

• Heather D. Wathington, University of Virginia