Gender and Racial Trends among Geriatric Psychiatry Fellows in the USA: A Call to Action.

Abstract

The United States (USA) is a culturally and ethnically diverse country with an estimated 5.6 to 8 million elderly population living with psychiatric and substance use disorders and a dwindling geriatric psychiatry workforce.In this study, we explored the gender and racial trends in USA geriatrics psychiatry fellowship programs from 2007-20, and forecasted the 2030 geriatric psychiatry workforce to identify the gaps and provide recommendations. This retrospective analysis of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) data included trainees in geriatric psychiatry fellowship programs in the USA from 2007-20. Races were classified as White (Non-Hispanic), Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic, Black (Non-Hispanic), Native American/Alaskan, Others, and Unknown. Gender was categorized as Male, Female, and Not Reported. Amongst the geriatric psychiatry fellowship trainees, there was an overall decrease in the representation of all races from 2011-20. There was a relative decrease of 16%, 8.6% and 2.3% for White (Non-Hispanic), Asian/Pacific Islander, and Black (Non-Hispanics) respectively whereas the Hispanic and Native American/Alaskan trainees remained unchanged. Women relatively increased 28.4% from 2007-20 while men relatively decreased 27.1%. Our projections suggest that without changes in the current health professional recruitment trendsand the shortage of geriatric psychiatrists will persist with a shortfall of 1,080 (9.7%) by 2030. There are critical gaps in racial and gender representation in geriatric psychiatry fellowship programs in the USA. An inclusive workforce is required to address diverse communities and bridge gaps in physician workforce gender and racial disparities.