LHS+ medical students continue to face discrimination, according to LMSA findings

The Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) recently shared their result of a national needs assessment focused on documenting the experiences of discrimination faced by Latina/o/x/e, Hispanic or of Spanish origin (LHS+) identified medical students applying to residency programs.

LMSA is the nation’s largest and oldest organization for the advancement of LHS+ medical students, and does the assessment to determine the degree to which LHS+ identified matriculants of AOA- and LCME-accredited medical schools on the U.S. mainland and in Puerto Rico encounter discrimination during the residency application process.

A high proportion of LHS+ identified medical students, irrespective of medical school location, reported hearing from upper-class persons that they experienced offensive questions or comments regarding their English proficiency, the medical school they attended, and citizenship status. Among other forms of discrimination, students reported experiencing offensive questions or comments regarding their English proficiency, the medical school they attended and citizenship status.

According to LMSA, these forms of discrimination may contribute to increased stress, anxiety or imposter syndrome and cause discriminatory rejections when students apply to residency programs.

The findings were gathered from current LHS+ medical students who were asked if they heard from upper-class medical students or graduates who encountered the following scenarios during the residency application process.

The assessment found the following results:

Received offensive questions or comments regarding their own English proficiency? (Yes)

• Puerto Rican Medical Students: 48.7%   
• Mainland U.S. Medical Students: 48.6%

Received notification of application denial because they were considered an international medical student? (Yes)               

• Puerto Rican Medical Students: 51.4%   
• Mainland U.S. Medical Students: 35.3%

Received offensive questions or comments because they were considered an international medical student? (Yes)               

• Puerto Rican Medical Students: 56.3%   
• Mainland U.S. Medical Students: 29.4%

Received offensive questions or comments based on the medical school they attended? (Yes)     

• Puerto Rican Medical Students: 61.3%   
• Mainland U.S. Medical Students: 54.3%

Were asked if they were a U.S. citizen? (Yes)      

• Puerto Rican Medical Students:  64.6%  
• Mainland U.S. Medical Students: 48.6%

Were asked to show documentation or proof of U.S. citizenship? (Yes)   

• Puerto Rican Medical Students:  43.1%  
• Mainland U.S. Medical Students: 19.4%

All medical students, faculty and staff are encouraged to report episodes of discrimination to AAMC ERAS Investigations via erasinvestigations@aamc.org. Alternatively, medical students may report incidents of discrimination to medical school leadership (e.g. Dean of Students Affairs, Dean for GME/DIO, Dean of Diversity) or to the University Office for Equal Opportunity.

Residents or fellows may submit reports of discrimination to complaints@acgme.org.