An Assessment of Black Medical Students' Interest in Cardiothoracic Surgery: Results of a National Survey.

Abstract

Several studies have described the lack of diversity within cardiothoracic surgery (CTS). This study aims to describe Black medical students' perceptions of CTS. A previously validated 23-question survey was administered to the Student National Medical Association chapters at 40 US medical schools via Qualtrics. Forty schools confirmed receipt of the survey, with a 15.5% (407 of 2616) response rate. Nearly all (99%; 401 of 402) respondents were Black; 72% (292 of 407) were women. Twenty-six percent (98 of 384) of respondents reported some interest in CTS. Students reported a lack of curricular exposure to CTS (210 of 341; 62%), a belief that CTS is a racially or ethnically biased field (250 of 342; 73%), and few believed that CTS was welcoming to their identities (35 of 342; 10%). Respondents cited a lack of minority role models in CTS (270 of 318; 85%), but noted that access to minority mentors would increase their interest in CTS (225 of 318; 71%). The ability to address healthcare disparities was the most important goal in selecting a specialty (224 of 371; 60%). Over half of respondents believed that CTS training was too long (184 of 342; 54%), with most students unaware of shorter training pathways for CTS (210 of 341; 62%). Black medical students report low interest in CTS owing to several factors including the perception of bias, low diversity in the profession, length of training, and limited access to mentors. Increased exposure to CTS, highlighting opportunities to address healthcare disparities within the specialty, and direct engagement with CTS mentors may increase the interest of Black medical students in the field of CTS.