Trends in Race/Ethnicity of Pediatric Residents and Fellows: 2007-2019.

Abstract

A diverse pediatric workforce reflecting the racial/ethnic representation of the US population is an important factor in eliminating health inequities. Studies reveal minimal improvements over time in the proportions of underrepresented in medicine (URiM) physicians; however, studies assessing trends in pediatric URiM trainee representation are limited. Our objective was to evaluate longitudinal trends in racial/ethnic representation among a cross-section of US pediatric trainees and to compare it to the US population. Repeated cross-sectional study of graduate medical education census data on self-reported race/ethnicity of pediatric residents and subspecialty fellows from 2007 to 2019. To evaluate trends in URiM proportions over time, the Cochran-Armitage test was performed. Data on self-reported race/ethnicity of trainees were compared with the general population data over time by using US Census Bureau data. Trends in URiM proportions were unchanged in residents (16% in 2007 to 16.5% in 2019; <i>P</i> = .98) and, overall, decreased for fellows (14.2% in 2007 to 13.5% in 2019; <i>P</i> = .002). URiM fellow trends significantly decreased over time in neonatal-perinatal medicine (<i>P</i> < .001), infectious diseases (<i>P</i> < .001), and critical care (<i>P</i> = .006) but significantly increased in endocrinology (<i>P</i> = .002) and pulmonology (<i>P</i> = .009). Over time, the percentage of URiM pediatric trainee representation was considerably lower compared to the US population. The continued underrepresentation of URiM pediatric trainees may perpetuate persistent health inequities for minority pediatric populations. There is a critical need to recruit and retain pediatric URiM residents and subspecialty fellows.