Fellows in Training - February 2002
 
 
Removing Barriers for "Underrepresented Minorities" in Academic Medicine

(FEBRUARY 2002)—"Being an African American cardiovascular researcher can be a lonely pursuit," admitted Clyde W. Yancy, Jr., MD, of Dallas. Although African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans make up 20 percent of the nation's population, they represent only a scant 4 percent of medical researchers, he revealed in a presentation on minorities in academic medicine at the "How to Become a Cardiovascular Investigator" conference cosponsored by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association last fall.

The "underrepresented minorities" face many barriers on the road to academic medicine, said Dr. Yancy. For one thing, altruism (i.e., a sense of having to "give something back"), family influences (usually financial) , or National Health Service Corps obligations often push them into providing primary care to their own communities. The significantly greater financial pressures they face make an academic career less appealing. They're also more likely to lack the exposure to basic science they need. In addition, not enough institutions have made a commitment to encouraging underrepresented minorities to move into academic medicine. Those who are in academic medicine are much more likely to be found in clinical appointments and have less protected time for research.

Several strategies could help improve the situation, said Dr. Yancy. Enrichment programs for talented high school students could increase the number of underrepresented minorities making their way through the pipeline, for instance. Institutions need to create a climate of success for minorities through mentors and role models. And individuals need to be focused, prepared, and committed—no matter what their race.

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