AAMC Diversity and Inclusion in Medicine 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the AAMC's Year 2025 Workforce Projections report about?
- A projection of MCAT test-taker demographics
- Projections of physician supply and demand, showing potential shortfalls in the US physician workforce (Correct answer)
- A forecast of medical school tuition increases
- Demographics of future medical school applicants
Correct answer: Projections of physician supply and demand, showing potential shortfalls in the US physician workforce
The AAMC's Physician Workforce Projections report models the future supply and demand for physicians, highlighting potential shortfalls that may reach tens of thousands by 2034.
Question 2: Why does AAMC argue that physician diversity improves patient care?
- Diverse physicians earn more, improving hospital finances
- Patients from underrepresented groups show better outcomes and trust when treated by concordant physicians (Correct answer)
- Diverse physicians are required by federal law
- Physician diversity reduces malpractice claims
Correct answer: Patients from underrepresented groups show better outcomes and trust when treated by concordant physicians
Research cited by AAMC shows that patients from underrepresented groups often experience better communication, trust, and health outcomes when treated by physicians who share their background.
Question 3: What percentage of active US physicians identify as Black or African American?
- About 2%
- About 5% (Correct answer)
- About 10%
- About 15%
Correct answer: About 5%
According to AAMC data, approximately 5% of active US physicians identify as Black or African American, compared to ~13% of the US population.
Question 4: What is a 'post-baccalaureate pre-med program' and how does it relate to diversity?
- A program for current college students to complete pre-med requirements
- A program for career changers or disadvantaged students to complete or strengthen pre-med coursework (Correct answer)
- An MCAT prep program
- A program only for students who failed pre-med courses
Correct answer: A program for career changers or disadvantaged students to complete or strengthen pre-med coursework
Post-baccalaureate pre-med programs allow career changers and students from disadvantaged backgrounds to complete or strengthen pre-medical coursework, serving as an important pathway for diverse applicants.
Question 5: What does implicit bias training in medical education aim to address?
- Intentional discrimination by medical students
- Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect treatment decisions and patient interactions (Correct answer)
- Financial conflicts of interest in healthcare
- Misuse of electronic health records
Correct answer: Unconscious attitudes or stereotypes that affect treatment decisions and patient interactions
Implicit bias training aims to raise awareness of and mitigate unconscious stereotypes and attitudes that can affect how healthcare providers interact with and treat patients from different backgrounds.
Question 6: What is the AAMC's Center for Health Justice?
- A legal advocacy center for physicians
- An AAMC center focused on advancing health equity and reducing health disparities across populations (Correct answer)
- A certification body for hospital equity programs
- An insurance program for uninsured patients
Correct answer: An AAMC center focused on advancing health equity and reducing health disparities across populations
The AAMC Center for Health Justice works to advance health equity by addressing social determinants of health and disparities in healthcare access and outcomes.
AAMC Diversity and Inclusion in Medicine 2
What is the AAMC's Year 2025 Workforce Projections report about?