Gender and racial disparities in the transplant surgery workforce

Abstract

Purpose of review This review explores trends in the United States (US) transplant surgery workforce with a focus on historical demographics, post-fellowship job market, and quality of life reported by transplant surgeons. Ongoing efforts to improve women and racial/ethnic minority representation in transplant surgery are highlighted. Future directions to create a transplant workforce that reflects the diversity of the US population are discussed. Recent findings Representation of women and racial and ethnic minorities among transplant surgeons is minimal. Although recent data shows an improvement in the number of Black transplant surgeons from 2% to 5.5% and an increase in women to 12%, the White to Non-White transplant workforce ratio has increased 35% from 2000 to 2013. Transplant surgeons report an average of 4.3 call nights per week and less than five leisure days a month. Transplant ranks 1st among surgical sub-specialties in the prevalence of three well-studied facets of burnout. Concerns about lifestyle may contribute to the decreasing demand for advanced training in abdominal transplantation by US graduates. Summary Minimal improvements have been made in transplant surgery workforce diversity. Sustained and intentional recruitment and promotion efforts are needed to improve the representation of women and minority physicians and advanced practice providers in the field.

A review of racial, socioeconomic, and geographic disparities in pediatric liver transplantation

“…[ 48 ] Only 5.5% of transplant surgeons are Black, and 8% are Hispanic. [ 49 ] Prioritization on the recruitment and retention of diverse multidisciplinary teams are needed to provide the highest quality of care to the diverse populations we serve and to best address racial and ethnic health disparities and systemic racism in transplantation.…”

Social Media in Transplantation: An Opportunity for Outreach, Research Promotion, and Enhancing Workforce Diversity

“…Transplant surgery is consistently the least competitive surgical subspecialty fellowship. 20,22 Reasons for not pursuing a career in transplantation include perceptions of a poor lifestyle, high call burden, poor operative experiences during transplant rotations in medical school or residency, and a limited job market. 22,23 Transplant fellowship programs also have an opportunity to use social media, showcasing their unique training environments while providing fellows to highlight their experiences.…”

“…19 Nevertheless, a recent review found that diversity in transplant surgery has not substantially improved, with 12% identifying as female and only 5.5% identifying as Black and 8% as Hispanic. 20,21 Social media can also be leveraged by providing a platform for virtual interaction among students, trainees, and mentors to establish a mentorship relationship and foster a supportive path to a career in transplantation.…”

The Case for Prioritizing Diversity in the Transplantation Workforce to Advance Kidney Health Equity

“…Diversity helps to mitigate the harm of implicit biases that are inherent in us all; race concordance among providers has also been associated with better health outcomes and process measures for Black patients. 9,10 Increasing diversity among providers may also alleviate reported distrust and fears about organ donation and transplantation in socially disadvantaged communities. Unfortunately, diversity among transplant surgeons has been historically low, with only 5.5% self-identifying as Black, which mirrors the general surgery Black representation at 5%, whereas the White to non-White transplant workforce ratio has increased by 35% from 2000 to 2013.…”

“…The National Institutes of Health has acknowledged that increasing diversity of the biomedical sciences workforce would improve health equity by increasing the capacity to identify, address, and eliminate health disparities. Diversity helps to mitigate the harm of implicit biases that are inherent in us all; race concordance among providers has also been associated with better health outcomes and process measures for Black patients 9 , 10 . Increasing diversity among providers may also alleviate reported distrust and fears about organ donation and transplantation in socially disadvantaged communities.…”