Dónde Están? Latinx/Hispanic Representation in the Oncology Workforce: Present and Future

Abstract

This manuscript reviews the status of Hispanic/Latinx physicians in oncology, the benefits and challenges to achieving equitable representation, and potential solutions and actions to increase diversity in the oncology workforce. Persons of Hispanic/Latinx origin comprise 18.7% of the population and 16.8% of the adult population in the United States but are only 4.7% of practicing oncologists. The reasons for the lack of representation of Hispanic/Latinx individuals in medicine are multifaceted and include discrimination and biases, exclusionary practices, financial barriers, and lack of role modeling. As a result, patients are deprived the benefits of a representative workforce, such as improved access, enhanced culturally and linguistically competent care, and minimization of health disparities. Solutions included in the manuscript include a description of efforts by ASCO to improve the representativeness of the oncology workforce through its awards programs and educational efforts, especially for Hispanic/Latinx clinicians. The manuscript also outlines individual actions that attending physicians, senior oncologists, oncology leaders, and hospital/cancer center leadership can take to improve the diversity of the oncology workforce and support our Latinx/Hispanic trainees and colleagues. Improving the representativeness of the oncology workforce will require collective action by institutions, medical societies, and individuals. Nevertheless, widespread commitment to creating an inclusive and supported workforce is necessary to ensure the quality of care for minority patients, reduce existing cancer care disparities, and advance innovation in oncology.

Disparities in Access to Radiotherapy Among Hispanic/Latinx Populations in the United States

“…This may be due to satisfaction of care resulting in increased compliance to treatment recommendations and followup, as well as more effective communication regarding ongoing symptoms. 63,64 Diversity in the radiation oncology workforce is significantly lacking, [65][66][67] with the specialty ranking in the lower third of representation among 33 medical specialties. 68 Recent efforts have been made to increase the diversity of the radiation oncology workforce.…”

Buenos Días: A Letter to My Patient's Mother

“…Latino physicians in general are under-represented in medicine, 4 and the same is true for Latino oncologists in academic medicine. 5 So, it was an honor and privilege for me to be your son's doctora. Throughout our encounters, I thought about how I would want my own extended family to be treated by their medical team, and I did my best to communicate, educate, and advocate for your son and your family.…”

People Like Us

“…How can we collectively provide culturally and linguistically competent care if our workforce does not share the same diversity as our patients? 3 So, mom, 25 years later, I think we have both grown to understand medical schools need people like us, people like all of us. I think you have felt that as much as I have over the years in your own connections with doctors caring for members of our family or in the health questions you save for me.…”

“…How can we collectively provide culturally and linguistically competent care if our workforce does not share the same diversity as our patients? 3…”