Characterization of National Medical Societies’ Accessible Resources to Support Underrepresented Minority and Female Trainees

Abstract

IMPORTANCEThe lack of racial, ethnic, and gender diversity in medicine has been recognized as problematic, but the question of what medical educators and societies are doing to rectify and promote representation of historically marginalized groups persists. OBJECTIVE To examine what easily accessible resources are offered by medical and surgical societies to support women and individuals in minority groups that are underrepresented in medicine (URiM). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional study evaluated transparent and accessible resources on the webpages of societies recognized by the Council of Medical Specialty Societies. Data collection and analysis were performed from September 1, 2021, to November 1, 2021. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURESThe society websites were searched for official diversity statements, diversity and women task forces or committees, and mentorship and scholarship opportunities for URiM and female trainees. The primary outcome was accessible resources in the form of financial support (scholarships) and mentorship for URiM and female trainees. RESULTSOf the 45 societies included in the analysis, 38 (84.4%) have published diversity statements. All but 6 societies (86.7%) have a dedicated diversity task force, committee, or work group. Twenty societies (44.4%) have a committee specifically for women or include women in diversity task force initiatives. Seventeen societies (37.8%) offer minority-specific mentorship, 15 (33.3%) offer scholarships targeted toward URiM trainees, 10 (22.2%) provide gender-specific mentorship, and 8 (17.8%) offer scholarship opportunities for female trainees. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCEAlthough most of the societies included in this study acknowledge the importance of diversity in medicine, less than half of these societies offer readily accessible scholarships or mentorship opportunities to URiM and female applicants.

Financial Barriers to Surgical Conferences: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis of Registration Fees

“…The median conference fee for students in the member category was 191.55 USD 16), and 950.04 USD (787.41-1237.46), respectively. Similarly, the median conference fee price for non-member residents, fellows, and staff was 49.9%, 54.9%, and 49.9% greater than that for member trainees of the same category, respectively.…”

“…Despite certain residency training programs and surgical societies offering financial compensation to trainees wishing to participate in surgical conferences, these financial stipends are likely to only cover a proportion of the total associated costs and selectively benefit individuals from better‐funded academic institutions, once again sidelining trainees from minority groups, smaller institutions, and LMICs where funding is often lacking. Furthermore, in another recent study evaluating 45 medical and surgical societies, only 15 (33%) offered scholarships directed toward individuals from minority groups that are underrepresented in medicine despite 84.4% of these societies having easily accessible published diversity statements [16]. Although we have seen improvements with certain financial resources being offered to trainees wishing to participate in surgical education, many of these opportunities may also be limited to specific levels of training, such as for trainees who are already residents or fellows in their desired field of practice.…”

Students Matriculating into Integrated Plastic Surgery: Are all Medical Schools Equal?

“…Plastic surgery programs are working to mitigate the costs of away rotations by offering to visit student scholarships, though these efforts are still relatively few in comparison to the number of students who wish to participate in away rotation opportunities. 23 Recent studies show that positive relationships with role models have been associated with students going into their associated specialty areas, with internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics identified as the most frequent residency match choices when coupled with the presence of a mentor. 24,25 A 2019 survey of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons members found that although 94.05% of plastic surgeons believe mentorship is valuable, only 15.16% reported a structured mentorship program, with fewer mentorship opportunities for women, underrepresented minorities, and junior plastic surgeons, subsequently resulting in lower job satisfaction.…”

“…This cost is compounded for students who pursue numerous away rotations or sub-internships and serves as a significant burden. Plastic surgery programs are working to mitigate the costs of away rotations by offering to visit student scholarships, though these efforts are still relatively few in comparison to the number of students who wish to participate in away rotation opportunities 23 …”