Identifying tools to thrive for the underrepresented in medicine
A Yale study led by Assistant Professor Oluwatosin O. Adeyemo, MD, MPH, and Professor John Encandela, PhD, aimed to provide practical advice for underrepresented in medicine (URiM) individuals. Gathering online survey responses from 23 medical school graduates who self-identified as URiM, the study uncovered three key themes essential for thriving in medical residency: early mentorship, diverse support systems, and education on handling macro/microaggressions.
Published in the Journal of Teaching and Learning in Medicine, the study emphasizes the power of knowledge in overcoming obstacles during medical training. Tashzna Jones, MD, a chief resident at Yale Urology, found the study's findings to be reflective of her own experiences, noting the benefit of mentors and the importance of recognizing shared challenges.
The researchers advocate for more qualitative studies to offer deeper insights that numbers alone cannot provide, aiming to inform and improve inclusivity and equity in medical training environments. Yale School of Medicine has already implemented an "Empower to Thrive" workshop for graduating medical students from underrepresented racial/ethnic backgrounds, incorporating the study's findings into the curriculum.
Adeyemo insists on the necessity of systemic changes to eliminate micro and macroaggressions and to foster a supportive atmosphere for all students and trainees. Jones echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the need for structural changes beyond the individual's efforts. The research holds promise for influencing institutional practices and encouraging broader systemic reforms for the benefit of URiM individuals in the medical field.
