Representation Matters
Representation Matters
Empowering Underrepresented Minorities in the Medical Field
As a Black Queer Woman in Medicine, I know firsthand the importance of representation in this field. Growing up, I rarely saw doctors or medical professionals who looked like me. It wasn't until I was a high school teacher that I met my first Black physician, and it was a life-changing experience. There I was bringing my students who were interested in pursuing medicne to events where they could be inspired and motivated to continue their journey and I was the one being inspired. Seeing someone who looked like me in a position of power and authority made me realize that I too could become a doctor.
Unfortunately, the lack of representation in medicine is still an issue today, with underrepresented minorities (URMs) making up a small percentage of medical professionals. In this blog post, I want to highlight the importance of representation in the medical field and discuss ways we can empower and support minorities in medicine.
The Importance of Representation
People will be what they can see
Representation matters in all fields, but it is especially critical in medicine. Patients come from all walks of life, and having a diverse pool of doctors and medical professionals helps ensure that everyone can receive the care they need. Studies have shown that patients are more likely to trust and feel comfortable with doctors who share their cultural background or have had similar life experiences. This trust and comfort can lead to better patient outcomes and a higher level of patient satisfaction.
Representation in medicine also matters for aspiring medical professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. Seeing people who look like them in positions of power and success can be incredibly empowering and can help break down the barriers that minorities often face in pursuing a career in medicine.
Barriers to Entry
Unfortunately, there are still many barriers that underrepresented minorities face in pursuing a career in medicine. These barriers can include:
Lack of access to opportunities: Many URMs grow up in underserved communities and may not have access to the same opportunities their white counterparts have, which can make it harder to be a competitive applicant for both college and medical school.
Financial barriers: Medical school and the process to even get in to medical school is absurdly expensive, and many URMs may not have the financial resources to pursue the path that leads to a career in medicine.
Bias and discrimination: Discrimination and bias are pervasive in the medical field, and URMs face additional obstacles in gaining acceptance to medical school and in turn residency after medical school.
Lack of mentorship: Underrepresented minorities may struggle to find mentors as pre-medical students and in the medical field who can help guide them through the application process and provide support and advice throughout their careers.
Empowering URMs in Medicine
So, what can we do to support and empower URMs in medicine? Here are some suggestions:
Mentorship and Sponsorship
One of the most critical ways to empower minorities in medicine is through mentorship and sponsorship. Mentors can help guide aspiring medical professionals through the application process, provide support and advice, and act as advocates for them throughout their careers. Sponsorship takes mentorship a step further, as sponsors actively work to advance the careers of their mentees by connecting them with influential people and opportunities.
Increasing Access to Opportunities
Improving access to opportunities is essential for empowering URMs in medicine. This could involve creating programs to support minority students from underserved communities, providing financial assistance to students who cannot afford to apply to medical school, and offering outreach programs to expose young people to the medical field.
Addressing Bias and Discrimination
Addressing bias and discrimination in the medical field is critical for ensuring that URMs can thrive as medical professionals. This could involve providing unconscious bias training for medical school admissions committees and medical professionals, creating more diverse hiring practices, and promoting a culture of inclusivity in medical institutions.
Celebrating Diversity
Finally, celebrating diversity in the medical field is essential for empowering URMs. Medical institutions should promote a culture of inclusivity, celebrate diversity in their hiring practices, and highlight the contributions of minority medical professionals. This can help create a more welcoming and supportive environment for URMs in medicine.
As a Black queer woman, representation has always been incredibly important to me as it is for many people who have marginalized identities. Growing up, I never saw doctors who looked like me. In fact, I never even considered becoming a doctor until I was a high school science teacher. It wasn't until I saw a Black woman doctor speaking to my students that I saw someone who looked like me in a position of power and influence in the medical field.
Her presence and guidance inspired me to pursue a career in medicine, but it was not an easy journey. As a first-generation student, I faced many challenges navigating the system and figuring out how to get into medical school. But what kept me going was the knowledge that there were other Black and Queer people who had gone through similar experiences and had succeeded in the field of medicine.
When I finally got accepted into medical school, I was one of only a few Black students in my class. It was a lonely experience at times, but I found solace in the community of other underrepresented minority students. We would support each other through the challenges of medical school, and it was empowering to know that we were all working towards a common goal.
Now, as a resident, I have the privilege of working with a diverse patient population. I have seen firsthand the difference it makes when patients see doctors who look like them. It can increase their trust in the medical system and lead to better health outcomes.
Representation also matters in the context of medical research. Historically, medical research has not always been inclusive of underrepresented minority populations or in turn has taken advantage of minority populations. This has led to a lack of understanding about certain diseases and conditions in these populations as well as a lack of trust between these populations and the medical industry which has resulted in inadequate treatment and care.
By advocating for diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the medical field, we can work towards eliminating these disparities and creating a more equitable system for everyone. I am grateful for the mentors and role models who have inspired and empowered me along the way, and I hope to do the same for future generations of underrepresented minority students in medicine.
