Transplant Hepatology Fellowship: Shifts in Sex and Ethnic Representation From 2013-2022

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

10-25-2023

Publication Title

Am J Gastroenterol

Abstract

Introduction: The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2044, the majority of Americans will belong to a minority group. As the proportion of minorities continues to rise, a diverse physician workforce becomes increasingly important as improved sex and ethnic diversity has been shown to positively impact patient care. In this paper, we highlight trends in sex and ethnic representation among incoming U.S. transplant hepatology trainees over a 10-year period. We hypothesize that there have been increases in diversity in the past decade amongst transplant hepatology fellows. Methods: Data on gender and ethnic identities of matriculating transplant hepatology trainees was extracted from the Graduate Medical Education Census. The number of individuals within sex and ethnic groups was retrospectively collected over a 10-year period (2013–2022) and analyzed to identify trends over time. Trainees self-identified their sex as female or male and their ethnicity as Asian, Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, White, Other or Unknown, or Multiracial on the census. Underrepresented minorities (URMs) were defined as fellows who self-identified as Black, Hispanic, American Indian or Alaskan Native, or Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander. Results: In 2012-2013, 43.8% of incoming transplant fellows were female, and 56.2% were male compared to 56.2% and 43.8%, respectively, in 2021-2022. The percentage of URMs in 2012-2013 was 12.5% and the percentage of non-minorities was 87.5% and this remained the same in 2021-2022. The overall proportion of female trainees in medicine was 47.3% and the proportion of URM trainees was 19% in 2021-2022. Over the ten year period, the highest proportion of trainees were of Asian background, comprising 42.0% (163/388) and trainees with a white background were 150/388 38.7% (150/388) of the population. Similarly, women filled 47.4% (184/388) of the seats over the ten years and males filled 52.6% (204/388) of the seats (Table 1). Conclusion: Over the past decade, there has been an increase in female representation among transplant hepatology trainees but no change in URM representation. Our study demonstrates a continued need to implement programs that promote diversity among transplant hepatology fellowship programs in order to best care for an increasingly diverse US population. We hope that this paper can help spark future conversations about steps we can take to influence diversity shifts in the field.

Volume

118

Issue

10

First Page

S1284

Last Page

S1285

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