Racial Disparities in Research Engagement Among US Allopathic Medical Students

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

4-1-2026

Publication Title

Med Sci Educ

Abstract

Competitive medical specialties, such as plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and orthopedic surgery, have persistently lower representation of physicians that are Underrepresented in Medicine (URiM) in comparison to other specialties. Furthermore, URiM medical students continue to experience lower match rates in these specialties. Since Step 1 became pass/fail, research productivity has become increasingly important for matching. Using AAMC Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) Gender/URiM National Reports, we examined disparities in research experiences among medical students and their implications for diversity in competitive medical specialties. The GQ surveyed over 16,000 graduating U.S. medical students per year on their medical school experiences. Responses to research-related questions were stratified by URiM status and analyzed with chi-squared tests. In pooled data from 2020 to 2024 (n = 81,137), URiM students were significantly less likely to report research with faculty, manuscript authorship, and presentation authorship (p <  0.001) but equally likely to report independent study projects (p > 0.05). Structural barriers and reduced familial connections in medicine may contribute to this observed disparity. Limited research access likely disadvantages URiM applicants to competitive specialties. Medical school faculty should focus on increasing outreach and mentorship to expand research opportunities for URiM students as well as addressing the structural barriers that result in reduced research engagement.

PubMed ID

42183467

Volume

36

Issue

2

First Page

629

Last Page

636

Find It @ Sladen

Share

COinS