TO THE EDITOR: As the US grows increasingly diverse, it is crucial to develop a healthcare system in which shared ethnic background, language, gender, and sexual orientation foster connections between physicians and their patients. The article by Corley and colleagues1is instrumental in improving medical care through increased diversity, and we believe now is the time to wholeheartedly embrace and embody the changing facets of American society (Corley J, Kim E, Philips CA, et al. One hundred years of neurosurgery: contributions of American women.J Neurosurg. 2021;134[2]:337–342).
Homogeneity restricts the practice of medicine. Ignorance toward a patient's social and cultural background can cause oversight of relevant parameters in patient pathology. On a societal level, the “homogeneity of members' social background and ideology [can result in] groupthink.”2This psychological phenomenon leads to ideas that lack nuance; therefore, a homogenous group of physicians runs an increased risk of coming to erroneous conclusions. In medicine, this can mean inaccurate diagnoses that put patients’ lives at risk. Additionally, homogenous groups of medical students, physicians, and nurse practitioners hinder innovation and progress in the medical field.3Advocacy for more diverse medical institutions allows healthcare leaders to avoid herd behavior. This is only attainable by welcoming perspectives from many walks of life.
Academic institutions have worked to foster medical student interest in neurosurgery, with efforts including creating neurosurgery interest groups, encouraging clinical exposure and research opportunities, and providing continued mentorship.4–6Still, analysis of underrepresented minority student performance indicates that both objective and subjective measures of student critique are commonly difficult areas for minority students to excel in due to implicit bias, lack of financial support and/or mentorship, and sexual harassment, among others.7,8Given the emphasis on measures of medical student performance in the neurosurgery match, such as the United States Medical Licensing Examination step scores, clerkship grades, and number of research products, gender and ethnic minorities may additionally benefit from mentorship driven by residents and attending physicians.
We propose the implementation of opportunities that provide youth from underrepresented groups with the chance to pursue their interest in medicine. Establishment of scientific interest at early educational stages may increase future pools of diverse applicants interested in neurosurgery, and the medical field as a whole.9,10At the medical student level, we recommend that the AANS be utilized to amplify the call for diversity in one of the most scientifically engaging and versatile specialties in medicine. Within the field, there is much to accomplish in the areas of increasing minorities in academic positions, promotion of women in leadership positions, and defeating barriers affecting minority medical students. Specific approaches to action may include creating a diversity section in the AANS or requesting diversity initiatives through AANS medical student chapters.
美国的复杂性多样性要求introspective look at the healthcare system. Physicians and medical providers should reflect the diverse nature of their patients for myriad reasons. Notably, the quality of patient care is heavily reliant on both proper communication and understanding of patients' lived experiences to provide comfort and reassurance.
Disclosures
The authors report no conflict of interest.
References
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1 ↑
CorleyJ,KimE,PhilipsCA,et al.One hundred years of neurosurgery: contributions of American women.J Neurosurg.2021;134(2):337–342.
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3 ↑
HowardSD,LucasTH.The Supreme Court’s recent decision is a call for increased diversity in neurosurgery. Letter.开云体育app官方网站下载入口.2020;87(6):E715–E716.
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4
LubelskiD,XiaoR,MukherjeeD,et al.Improving medical student recruitment to neurosurgery.J Neurosurg.2020;133(3):848–854.
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5
DetchouDK,GlauserG,DimentbergR,et al.The Frazier Scholar Program at Penn Neurosurgery: an adaptable model for nurturing early interest in neurosurgery for current and aspiring medical students. Letter.J Neurosurg.2021;134(3):1015–1017.
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6
DixonA,SilvaNA,SotayoA,MazzolaCA.Female medical student retention in neurosurgery: a multifaceted approach.World Neurosurg.2019;122:245–251.
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7 ↑
BenzilDL,MuraszkoKM,SoniP,et al.Toward an understanding of sexual harassment in neurosurgery.J Neurosurg.Published online November 10, 2020. doi:10.3171/2020.6.JNS201649
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9 ↑
PatelSI,RodríguezP,GonzalesRJ.The implementation of an innovative high school mentoring program designed to enhance diversity and provide a pathway for future careers in healthcare related fields.J Racial Ethn Health Disparities.2015;2(3):395–402.
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10 ↑
RobinsonMA,Douglas-VailMB,BryceJN,vanZyl TJ.Medical school outreach and mentorship for rural secondary school students: a pilot of the Southwestern Ontario Medical Mentorship Program.Can J Rural Med.2017;22(2):62–67.
