Balancing the Scales of Opportunity: Ensuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Health Professions

Balancing the Scales of Opportunity: Ensuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the Health Professions

Marion Ein Lewin and Barbara Rice; eds. 88 pages. Washington, D.C.: National Academy Pr; 1994.

A report commissioned by the Institute of Medicine "to reassess underrepresentation of minorities in the health professions in light of impending health care reform and its implications for the nation's future workforce." Why is this thought to be necessary? The current (1992) data indicate that minorities make up 10.3% of students in medical school (minorities refers to ethnicity, not gender) and 22.1% of the U.S. population. The percentage of minorities among faculty is considered "paltry" at 3.5%. Four sections and an appendix; one section includes a discussion of "Where the Pipeline Leaks." The answer is: throughout all educational levels. The facts and discussions are not presented in a sensational fashion or with rancor, and many constructive suggestions are included. References.