1. Health professions school applicant experiences of discrimination during interviews.
- Author
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Chatterjee A, Dunleavy S, Gonzalez T, Benson J, Henault L, MacIntosh A, Goodell K, Witzburg R, and Paasche-Orlow M
- Subjects
- Humans, Canada, Schools, Health Occupations, Health Occupations, Health Promotion, Internship and Residency
- Abstract
Background: Bias pervades every aspect of healthcare including admissions, perpetuating the lack of diversity in the healthcare workforce. Admissions interviews may be a time when applicants to health profession education programs experience discrimination., Methods: Between January and June 2021 we invited US and Canadian applicants to health profession education programs to complete a survey including the Everyday Discrimination Scale, adapted to ascertain experiences of discrimination during admissions interviews. We used chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression to determine associations between identity factors and positive responses., Results: Of 1115 respondents, 281 (25.2%) reported discrimination in the interview process. Individuals with lower socioeconomic status ( OR : 1.78, 95% CI [1.26, 2.52], p = 0.001) and non-native English speakers ( OR: 1.76, 95% CI [1.08, 2.87], p = 0.02) were significantly more likely to experience discrimination. Half of those experiencing discrimination (139, or 49.6%) did nothing in response, though 44 (15.7%) reported the incident anonymously and 10 (3.6%) reported directly to the institution where it happened., Conclusions: Reports of discrimination are common among HPE applicants. Reforms at the interviewer- (e.g. avoiding questions about family planning) and institution-level (e.g. presenting institutional efforts to promote health equity) are needed to decrease the incidence and mitigate the impact of such events.
- Published
- 2023
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