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Abstract: Despite the clear need for a more racially and ethnically diverse workforce, people of color remain underrepresented in many health professions. The purpose of this study was to review the recent literature on experiences of racial discrimination among healthcare professionals, examining qualitative and quantitative studies published between 2006 and 2016. Our review reiterates that healthcare professionals experience racism from patients and patients' families, as well as their colleagues and supervisors, and that such experiences can contribute to employment disparities. Most studies aimed at exploring the impact of racial discrimination on health professionals have focused on Black and Latino physicians or nurses, while few focused on allied health professionals. Studies identified opportunities for healthcare leadership to address both overt and subtle racism and improve the climate for people of color working in healthcare careers.
Key Words: Racism, Discrimination, Healthcare Professionals, Career Trajectorie
introduction
The racial and ethnic diversity of the health workforce is an integral aspect in alleviating healthcare disparities (Institute of Medicine, 2004; The Sullivan Commission, 2004). Studies suggest that a diverse health workforce is more likely to provide culturally responsive, high quality healthcare, which in turn helps to reduce health disparities (DHHS, 2006). Studies exploring patient-provider racial concordance have found increased patient satisfaction when patients and providers are of the same racial or ethnic background (Laveist & Nuru-Jeter, 2002; Cooper, Beach, Johnson, & Inui, 2006). Additionally, research suggests that individuals from underrepresented minority groups are more likely to work in underserved areas, providing increased access to healthcare in medically underserved communities (The Sullivan Commission, 2004; Andrulis, Siddiqui, Purtle, & Duchon, 2010).
Despite the clear need for the health workforce to reflect the demographics and needs of an increasingly diverse patient population, people of color remain underrepresented in many health professions. The role of racism and discrimination, both at the individual and the institutional levels, contributes to this disparity (Institute of Medicine, 2004; Perez, 2006; Hassouneh, Lutz, Beckett, Junkins, & Horton, 2014). Racism can manifest in the form of limited access to educational and occupational opportunities through policies and practices such as emphasizing standardized tests and entrance exams, as well as institutional and organizational climates that make people of color feel unwelcome, leading to high attrition rates (Smedley, Butler, & Bristow, 2004; Hurtado,...