Trends in Racial Diversity among United States Ophthalmology Residents

Abstract

Underrepresented minority (URM) groups in medicine are defined as racial and ethnic populations in the medical field that are underrepresented relative to their numbers in the general population. 1 Fairless E.A. Nwanyanwu K.H. Forster S.H. Teng C.C. Ophthalmology departments remain among the least diverse clinical departments at United States medical schools. Ophthalmology. 2021; 128: 1129-1134 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (17) Google Scholar A diverse physician workforce that reflects patient population leads to decreased health care disparities, enhanced access to care, and improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. 2 Olivier M.M.G. Forster S. Carter K.D. et al. Lighting a pathway: the minority ophthalmology mentoring program. Ophthalmology. 2020; 127: 848-851 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (12) Google Scholar However, the field of ophthalmology has not reflected the racial diversity of the country and URM groups comprise only 7.2% of practicing ophthalmologists in the United States. 3 Xierali I.M. Nivet M.A. Wilson M.R. Current and future status of diversity in ophthalmologist workforce. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2016; 134: 1016-1023 Crossref PubMed Scopus (57) Google Scholar Re: Atkuru et al.: Trends in racial diversity among United States ophthalmology residents (Ophthalmology. 2022;129:957-959)OphthalmologyVol. 129Issue 9PreviewIn their report on the demographic data of United States residents in training across multiple specialties, Atkuru et al1 reveal that ophthalmology had the lowest proportion of residents who were underrepresented in medicine (URM) in the 2019–2020 academic year. We agree with the authors’ assessment that insufficient exposure to ophthalmology during medical training may be a major contributor to the lack of diversity in the field. As specialties compete for limited teaching time within medical school curricula, it seems that ophthalmology is falling behind in the race. Full-Text PDF Racial Diversity among United States Ophthalmology Residents: A Call to ActionOphthalmologyVol. 129Issue 8PreviewThe benefits of a diverse workforce in the medical field are well known and include improved health care outcomes, improved cultural competency, and enhancement of the medical work force dedicated to serving under-resourced areas.1 Despite these well-characterized benefits, the percentage of physicians from underrepresented in medicine (URiM) groups lags well behind the overall population in the United States.1,2 In this issue, Atkuru et al3 (see page 957) used demographic data from the accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education to compare the proportion of URiM residents between 2011–2012 and 2019–2020. Full-Text PDF