Clinical orthopaedics and related research
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Orthopaedic surgery represents a specialty in which applicants are abundant, residency slots are limited, and all candidates presumably are qualified. Orthopaedic residency programs have members of the resident selection committee review medical school performance measures for the purpose of screening candidates to interview and, subsequently, include on their rank order lists for the residency match process. The performance measures universally reviewed include the United States Medical Licensing Examination scores, Alpha Omega Alpha distinction, grade point averages, class rank, personal statements and letters of recommendation. ⋯ Although the selection process is open to any medical student or medical school graduate, the process fails to make any substantive strides in addressing the diminutive representation of certain ethnic and racial minorities within the profession. The intent of this manuscript is to expatiate on the effect various dynamics have on the orthopaedic profession, relative to underrepresented minorities in the profession. Those dynamics comprise (1) the size of the applicant pool; (2) the applicant screening criteria; (3) the underrepresented minority specialty preference; and (4) the perception underrepresented minorities have of orthopaedic surgeons.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · May 1999
Quality and fairness: achieving the paradigm. A personal perspective.
African Americans and those traditionally underrepresented and discriminated against by society face particular roadblocks in achieving success. In the case of training for orthopaedic surgery selection, this paper presents fundamental concepts addressing misconceptions regarding the pool of underrepresented applicants for positions in orthopaedic surgery residency and the notion and definition of the terms qualified and best qualified regarding the residency applicant pool. The paper underscores the fact, that despite advances in the century, racism continues to be pervasive in America, and efforts at leveling the playing field should be used.
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America is founded on high humanitarian, democratic ideals. The historic facts of slavery, discrimination, and segregation challenge and taint these democratic principles. Although progress has been made, serious racial problems remain. ⋯ Healthcare facilities with diverse staffs are more likely than homogeneous facilities to attract and successfully serve the nation's diverse population. A University of California at Davis School of Medicine study showed that diversity can be achieved without compromising quality of patient care. Clinically and ideologically, diversity in orthopaedics is good for patients and for the country.
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The rapidly growing population of the United States is becoming more diversified in its ethnicity. Conversely, the orthopaedic profession has not kept pace with this increase. Although 1/3 of the total population is comprised of Latinos, African Americans, and Native Americans, only 7% of all orthopaedic surgeons represent these minorities. ⋯ Misconceptions on the part of the minority students, medical school admissions committees, and directors of orthopaedic residency training programs may lead to negative impressions and results. The purpose of this paper is to make the orthopaedic community aware of this disparity and the barriers that underrepresented minority students encounter. Hopefully an appropriate positive response by those who have the ability to make a difference will result, thus facilitating the pathway for the minority student to become an orthopaedic surgeon.
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Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. · May 1999
Challenges and opportunities of racial diversity in medical education.
Racial and cultural diversity in the physician workforce (in orthopaedics this includes women) is an essential if the best healthcare for the American people is to be provided. The percentage of minorities to the white population is increasing yet their representation in medical schools and the practicing community has not risen at that same pace. Affirmative Action efforts continue to be challenged as lowering standards and depriving better qualified students admission to medical schools. ⋯ Affirmative Action should not be looked on as lowering standards, but using all available information in the selection process for medical school and residency training to ensure that the medical profession more closely mirrors the diverse racial and ethnic background of the United States population. How far a person has come and the adversity they have overcome may have far greater impact on making the correct diagnosis and setting out a proper treatment plan that the patient will accept than mastering test taking in the biologic and physical sciences. Obtaining racial and cultural diversity in the medical profession should be a national imperative.