Physician Workforce Disparities and Patient Care: A Narrative Review

Health Equity, 2019 · DOI: 10.1089/heq.2019.0040 · Published: January 1, 2019

Simple Explanation

This review explores whether physicians within four subpopulations—women, racial and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender minorities, and people with disabilities—are at elevated risk for challenges that undermine the profession. The review aims to determine if these challenges, such as inequities, burnout, and mental health issues, affect patient care and how they might be addressed. The study looks at the relationship between diversity-related workforce disparities and patient care, seeking to inform future research, policy, and practice.

Study Duration

Not specified

Participants

Not specified

Evidence Level

Level 5: Narrative Review

Key Findings

1
Physician workforce disparities potentially impact physicians from underrepresented groups and, in turn, affect patient care.
2
Women physicians are more likely to care for women and patients with complex psychosocial issues, providing more preventive care and counseling.
3
URM physicians are more likely to practice primary care and care for minority and vulnerable patients, including those from communities with lower socioeconomic status.

Research Summary

This report describes an evolving literature that demonstrates the potential impacts of workforce disparities on physicians from underrepresented groups and, in turn, patient care. Despite historical and contemporary challenges, physicians from underrepresented groups—including women, URM, and LGBTQ+, and those with disabilities—are crucial to health care access and quality for the broader U.S. population. As diversity efforts improve, expand, and impact the state of medicine in the U.S., it will be imperative for policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers to consider the unique experiences of physicians from these underrepresented groups when working together to address potential workforce shortages and physician well-being.

Practical Implications

Addressing Burnout

Implement well-being programs and create chief wellness officers to support physicians and mitigate burnout, particularly among underrepresented groups.

Promoting Equity

Adopt systematic guidelines to end gender discrimination, improve parental support, and increase control over work environments for women physicians.

Enhancing Diversity

Increase recruitment of URM physicians through holistic review of applications, conditional acceptance programs, and increased funding for K-12 education.

Study Limitations

1
Inconsistent use of keywords limited the identification of relevant studies.
2
Some groups of underrepresented physicians have been studied more than others.
3
Some studies could have addressed intersectionality but did not explicitly do so.

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