06 Mar Membership In Medical Schools’ Honor Society Skews Toward White Students
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Dowin Boatright
Dowin Boatright, MD, MBA
Department of Emergency Medicine
Yale School of Medicine
New Haven, Connecticut
Fellow, Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program
Veterans Affairs Scholar
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: Studies have demonstrated racial and ethnic inequities in medicine, including disparities in the receipt of awards, research funding, and promotions. Yet few studies have examined the link between race and ethnicity and opportunities for medical school students.
Our results show that black and Asian medical school students are less likely to be selected for membership in a prestigious medical honor society, Alpha Omega Alpha (AΩA), than white medical school students.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: The disparity suggests bias in the AΩA membership selection process, which could negatively affect opportunities for minority medical school students.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Response: Future studies should look at the demographic makeup of AΩA members over time. Additionally, knowledge about the demographics of the AΩA selection committee could be informative. Future studies should seek to identify interventions to mitigate bias in the AOA selection process for medical students.
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Last Updated on March 6, 2017 by Marie Benz MD FAAD