FEBRUARY 2021: IMPACT OF THE FLEXNER REPORT ON HEALTH DISPARITIES TODAY
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Last night, I joined the NAHSE South Carolina (SC)’s virtual screening of “Black Men in White Coats: A Documentary” and I absolutely loved it! The moderator posed a question during the post-screening discussion asking, “who is responsible for fixing the problem?” and the responses were insightful. The consensus at the end of the discussion was that change is needed within the medical education system and within the community to move forward in overcoming barriers to seeing equity in representation of Black men in medicine. Black men make up less than 3% of physicians and the call to action is to the bridge this gap earnestly. The documentary provided a great background and framework to facilitate conversation and discussions about factors contributing to why a few Black Men practice medicine. Beyond systemic racism that has directly contributed to the economic disadvantages faced by many Black families resulting in few pursuing a college education, the post-screening discussion encouraged reflection into if we are doing enough within our community to motivate and encourage young Black boys to pursue careers in medicine. The analogy of sports was used to depict how we can recognize children who are talented in sports at a young age and encourage and groom them towards athletic careers and how that should also be applied to the sciences. Can we begin to develop our communities such that children with talent in sciences are recognized and encouraged to pursue careers in science and medicine? Several pipeline programs have been developed to accomplish this but ultimately, without change in the system of medical education and the practice of medicine itself, retention of Black medical professionals in alone of itself, is a rising problem.
Thus, we are all responsible for fixing the problem. Change starts with learning the root cause of a problem, identifying contributing factors and making small changes that will eventually help us bridge the disparity gap and achieve health equity.
The Flexner report of 1910 presents the historical context within which we can begin to understand the experience of Black men and women in the medical education system as we embark on our fervent efforts to eliminate barriers and increase the number of Black men and women in medicine. The report which established the biomedical model as the gold standard for medical training, resulted in the elimination of Black medical schools and effectively generations of Black medical professionals. Without the expansion of medical schools, residency positions, and an education system that requires extensive undergraduate, medical and residency training over several years that often leaves minority students in insurmountable debt, compared to their non-minority counterparts, does our intention ever meet reality?
This Black History Month, let us all endeavor to learn more about the Flexner Report:
In the News:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/medical-education-needs-rethinking/
Video(s):
Beyond Flexner: social mission in medical education—Fitzhugh Mullan—TEDxFoggyBottom https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b7aW6GFsFQ
Submitted by NAHSE CT Communication & Membership Committee