M. J. Smith1, R. R. Shehirian1, C. E. Richburg1, S. S. Iyengar1, J. R. Santos-Parker1, G. Kwakye1 1University Of Michigan,Surgery,Ann Arbor, MI, USA
Introduction:
Despite underrepresented minorities (URMs) making up 40% of the population, they comprise less than 7% of all academic surgeons in the United States. The 2020 General Surgery Residency Match demonstrates a variation in the number of URM interns, with >40% of URM interns in some programs, to none at others. This study aimed to identify factors that influence URM applicants’ decisions in ranking general surgery programs to inform institutions.
Methods:
An 18-question survey was electronically distributed from June to July 2020 to incoming general surgery residents through targeted social media platforms and emails.
Important themes were identified through a focus group of current URM medical students and PUBMED searches conducted from 2004 to 2020 combining the keywords URM+general surgery+residency. Descriptive statistics and Mann Whitney U tests were performed to determine significant factors.
Results:
54 incoming general surgery interns completed the survey with a median age between 25-29, and 67% of whom were females. 31% of participants identified as URM. All participants rated the following factors as being very important in deciding upon their rank list order: 1) anticipated clinical experience 2) perceived morale of residents, 3) post graduate/fellowship opportunities, and 4) the feeling of being wanted at the program. URM general surgery interns were more likely to rate program benefits and finances, revisit opportunities, and post-graduate job opportunities higher than non-URM participants (p<0.05). URM participants also ranked diversity factors, like diversity of residents, diversity of faculty, and diversity and inclusion statements by programs, higher than non-URM participants (p<0.05). Additionally, women were significantly more likely to take into account the political climate at a program and the diversity of faculty and residents of a program (p<0.05).
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that there is an increased importance of diversity training environment and long-term goals for URM applicants compared to their counterparts. It is important that residency programs consider this as they aim to attract more diverse applicants and create environments that best support their trainees.
