Sociodemographic factors and research experience impact MD-PhD program acceptance.

TitleSociodemographic factors and research experience impact MD-PhD program acceptance.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2024
AuthorsWilliams DKAdrian, Christophers B, Keyes T, Kumar R, Granovetter MC, Adigun A, Olivera J, Pura-Bryant J, Smith C, Okafor C, Shibre M, Daye D, Akabas MH
JournalJCI Insight
Volume9
Issue3
Date Published2024 Feb 08
ISSN2379-3708
KeywordsBiomedical Research, Education, Medical, Humans, Physicians, Sociodemographic Factors, Workforce
Abstract

The 2014 NIH Physician-Scientist Workforce Working Group predicted a future shortage of physician-scientists. Subsequent studies have highlighted disparities in MD-PhD admissions based on race, income, and education. Our analysis of data from the Association of American Medical Colleges covering 2014-2021 (15,156 applicants and 6,840 acceptees) revealed that acceptance into US MD-PhD programs correlates with research experience, family income, and research publications. The number of research experiences associated with parental education and family income. Applicants were more likely to be accepted with a family income greater than $50,000 or with one or more publications or presentations. Applicants were less likely to be accepted if they had parents without a graduate degree, were Black/African American, were first-generation college students, or were reapplicants, irrespective of the number of research experiences, publications, or presentations. These findings underscore an admissions bias that favors candidates from affluent and highly educated families, while disadvantaging underrepresented minorities.

DOI10.1172/jci.insight.176146
Alternate JournalJCI Insight
PubMed ID38329127
PubMed Central IDPMC10967469
Grant ListF30 HD111309 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
T32 GM007170 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
T32 GM144300 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
T32 HG000046 / HG / NHGRI NIH HHS / United States
T32 HD060600 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States
T32 GM007288 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States
T32 GM007739 / GM / NIGMS NIH HHS / United States

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