Reading Erasure: Professional Identify Formation in Medical Students Who Are Underrepresented in Medicine

• In Event: 31.046 - Professional Identity Formation

Abstract

Research in professional identity formation (PIF) has yet to consider how discrimination affects the professional identities of students considered underrepresented in medicine (UiM). To explore these issues, 23 racially diverse students were interviewed and analyzed using latent content analysis. The results show that non-UiM students discussed PIF in recognized ways: Professional – choosing a specialty area, Personal –tension between being a human and robot, and Social – competing with other capable physicians. However, UiM students discussed PIF in ways that reflected ongoing political and social struggles in society around racial discrimination. Data shows UiM students’ experiences with discrimination have been erased in favor of dominant narratives. Future work should examine PIF for UiM students as a separate research agenda.

Authors

• Tasha R. Wyatt, Augusta University

• Nicole Winston

• Folami Powell

• Lara Varpio, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences