Women, Minority Enrollment Increasing at Medical Schools, Philadelphia Inquirer Reports
The Philadelphia Inquirer today reports on the increasing number of women and minorities at medical schools. While women and minorities traditionally have been underrepresented in medical schools, the Inquirer reports that women now are the majority at many schools and that African-American and Hispanic students are "more numerous than ever." Female and minority doctors are "changing the face of American medicine" because they have an "appreciation" for different types of patients and treatments, according to the Inquirer. For example, women are pursing residencies in all specialties, after traditionally being restricted to public health, pediatrics or school health. According to the American Medical Association, women accounted for 23.7% of surgery residents, 40.2% of internal medicine residents and 38.2% of neurology residents in 2001. Women also "dominat[e]" OB/GYN residencies, accounting for 71.4% of such residents in 2001, the Inquirer reports. While medical school enrollment for women and minorities is increasing, overall medical school applications have declined, the Inquirer reports. The American Association of Medical Colleges, however, expects the number of applicants to increase by 4% to 6% next year, further increasing the number of women and minority medical students. "Medical schools are going to reflect society, and our society is becoming diverse," Warren Ross, dean of the Drexel University School of Medicine, said (Surendran, Philadelphia Inquirer, 11/25).
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