With a fight that continues well into the 21st century, racism continues to be an open secret that is on the tongues of few, and minds of many. Particularly in a peace-making country such as Canada, the future is often seen through a lens of societal change and equality. However, racism is still alive and well, whether in first world nations, or in one of the world’s most humane professions: medicine. In 2017, only the top 10-15% of medical school applicants were granted a seat at a Canadian medical school, which makes way for the question of: are the capabilities of a medical professional questioned because of the colour of their skin?
Today, racism is a more complicated issue than ever before. Statistics show that both black and white skin coloured individuals are graduating at similar rates from high school and significantly more black students are attending postsecondary schools than in the 1900’s. Yet, more than 30 percent of black families still live below the poverty line, and others are not provided with the same support and opportunities to progress as their white counterparts. Canada is often valued for its multiculturalism, yet black individuals are widely underrepresented in numerous professional positions. Across the border, in America, Black physicians only make up 5% of practicing doctors, and often receive medical assistance of lower quality.
Breaking down barriers begins at an early age. While there are many reasons for why fewer black Canadians and Americans pursue careers as medical professionals, such as lower socioeconomic status and limited educational resources, a factor that rises to the top of the list is the lack of role models in the profession. Role models, consciously or unconsciously, influence youth. Because medical school is such a long and gruelling process, mentorship is an essential part of transversing its many obstacles. If a younger black student were to be mentored by a black physician, not only would the younger person’s interest in medicine pique, they may also be steered in the right direction. It has been proven that role models are sources of inspiration and act as a blueprint for younger people’s future goals and behaviours. Thus, by having greater representation of black physicians, there could be an increase in the number of black youth applying to medical school as well.
In 2017, the lack of representation of black individuals in medical schools was acknowledged by the University of Toronto. Just this year alone, Chika Oriuwa was the only student who identified as Black in her class of 259 medicals students. Given that the Greater Toronto Area is where many graduates will serve as future physicians, it is important to equally reflect the diversity of the city. To remediate this issue for the incoming class of 2018, the University of Toronto created the “Black Student Application Program” which will be modelled in a similar fashion as their program for indigenous students. In the past, the University of Toronto has seen access with this type of program, and hope to see it grow for the black community as well. In order to apply, students must choose to self-identify as Black on the Ontario Medical School Application Service, as well as write a personal essay. Because there is no designated quota for this admission process, applicants must still reach the same competitive GPA, MCAT scores, and extra-curricular involvement in order to get a seat at University of Toronto’s medical school. Members of the Black community, as well as Black physicians, faculty members, and students will take part in admissions file review and admission interviews. As the first program of its kind in Canada to offer such a program, the University of Toronto have proven to be leaders in this movement.
A strong need for action to include diversity in the medical profession would not only result in a more equitable medical environment, but there can be significant positive implications for communities. Studies have shown that black individuals are more likely to feel comfortable with black doctors, reporting higher satisfaction and higher rates of seeking additional treatment. This mistrust with other medical professionals may stem from the dark history of experimentation on black people without consent, as well as misdiagnosis over years. Research from the University of Virginia found that many white medical students and residents believed that black individuals have less sensitive nerve endings and thicker skin. This implication went as far as black children being less likely to receive pain medication in the ER. The importance of increasing the number of black medical professionals cannot be denied when studies also show that black physicians are more likely to practice in high poverty communities, that are minority rich and physician poor. This initiative can play a crucial role in creating stronger and healthier communities.
Racism and prejudice is a concern for students before, during, and after their medical studies are complete. In October 2016, Dr. Tamika Cross, a young black female physician, was on a flight when a man fell ill. When volunteering to assist the man, she was dismissed by being told “We are looking for actual physicians or nurses”. Since this incident, numerous physicians and medicinal professionals have come forward to express their personal experiences with this issue. Although steps are being taken to farther increase equality in the medical profession, the fight for equality does not start or end in the medical school classes: it needs to be sustained outside, in the real world, as well.