Event Title
Adding Some Color to the Sidelines: Addressing the Lack of Diversity in Sports Medicine
Location
Moultrie, GA
Start Date
9-5-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
9-5-2023 4:00 PM
Description
Introduction: In January 2023, the world was introduced to a new term, 'Commotio Cordis,' following a tragic on-field injury sustained by Damar Hamlin during a Buffalo Bills football game. As the sports world watched and prayed for his recovery, one notable observation was the lack of diversity among the medical staff who rushed to his aid. In a recent study conducted by Wiggins et al, which examined head team physicians across five different sports leagues, approximately 85% were classified as white, while the remaining 15% were identified as belonging to minority groups. Historically, the field of sports medicine has been dominated by Allopathic Caucasian male physicians. According to the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile, out of the 3,208 active sports medicine physicians in the United States, only 633 identify as Osteopathic physicians, and only 177 identify as Black or African American. The limited number of sports medicine and orthopedic surgeons who identify as non-Caucasian or osteopathic physicians with a sports medicine focus is a concerning issue that warrants attention. Efforts to promote diversity in the medical field, particularly in sports medicine, have intensified in recent years. Despite recent efforts, there remains a need for continued action to increase representation and promote equity in the field of sports medicine.
Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the specific barriers that prevent greater diversity among sports medicine physicians, including limited access to educational resources and curriculum, insufficient clinical experience opportunities, lack of diverse faculty and mentors, and implicit biases in medical residency program admissions. Furthermore, the study aims to identify potential solutions to address these barriers and promote greater diversity in sports medicine.
Methods: A thorough literature review was conducted to gain insight into the barriers faced by medical students from underrepresented groups pursuing careers in sports medicine.
Results: Medical students feel that the current curriculum does not provide them with necessary knowledge or skills needed to pursue a career in musculoskeletal medicine. Participation in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine medical interest groups with supplementary instruction from physician mentors was enough to increase a medical student’s confidence and competence in aspects of musculoskeletal medicine. Medical students were able to gain exposure and clinical experience to the field of musculoskeletal medicine from their physician mentors.
It should be noted that students may be drawn to fields where they can find physicians with similar gender, racial, or ethnic identities as themselves. These were the physicians that were highly favored by students to be considered role models.
Discussion: The field of sports medicine should take note on how other medical specialties are addressing some of these barriers and increasing diversity. It's important to recognize the value and importance of diversity in the healthcare field, and to take action to promote equity and inclusion in all aspects of sports medicine practice and education
Embargo Period
5-31-2023
Adding Some Color to the Sidelines: Addressing the Lack of Diversity in Sports Medicine
Moultrie, GA
Introduction: In January 2023, the world was introduced to a new term, 'Commotio Cordis,' following a tragic on-field injury sustained by Damar Hamlin during a Buffalo Bills football game. As the sports world watched and prayed for his recovery, one notable observation was the lack of diversity among the medical staff who rushed to his aid. In a recent study conducted by Wiggins et al, which examined head team physicians across five different sports leagues, approximately 85% were classified as white, while the remaining 15% were identified as belonging to minority groups. Historically, the field of sports medicine has been dominated by Allopathic Caucasian male physicians. According to the American Medical Association Physician Masterfile, out of the 3,208 active sports medicine physicians in the United States, only 633 identify as Osteopathic physicians, and only 177 identify as Black or African American. The limited number of sports medicine and orthopedic surgeons who identify as non-Caucasian or osteopathic physicians with a sports medicine focus is a concerning issue that warrants attention. Efforts to promote diversity in the medical field, particularly in sports medicine, have intensified in recent years. Despite recent efforts, there remains a need for continued action to increase representation and promote equity in the field of sports medicine.
Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the specific barriers that prevent greater diversity among sports medicine physicians, including limited access to educational resources and curriculum, insufficient clinical experience opportunities, lack of diverse faculty and mentors, and implicit biases in medical residency program admissions. Furthermore, the study aims to identify potential solutions to address these barriers and promote greater diversity in sports medicine.
Methods: A thorough literature review was conducted to gain insight into the barriers faced by medical students from underrepresented groups pursuing careers in sports medicine.
Results: Medical students feel that the current curriculum does not provide them with necessary knowledge or skills needed to pursue a career in musculoskeletal medicine. Participation in orthopedic surgery and sports medicine medical interest groups with supplementary instruction from physician mentors was enough to increase a medical student’s confidence and competence in aspects of musculoskeletal medicine. Medical students were able to gain exposure and clinical experience to the field of musculoskeletal medicine from their physician mentors.
It should be noted that students may be drawn to fields where they can find physicians with similar gender, racial, or ethnic identities as themselves. These were the physicians that were highly favored by students to be considered role models.
Discussion: The field of sports medicine should take note on how other medical specialties are addressing some of these barriers and increasing diversity. It's important to recognize the value and importance of diversity in the healthcare field, and to take action to promote equity and inclusion in all aspects of sports medicine practice and education