I disagree. I believe that a poor black patient could probably relate more to a black doctor who came from a privileged background than a white doctor of any background. Ditto people of other ethnicities.
As far as I know, no one has been denied admission BECAUSE of their race, sex or ethnicity. I've never known a cap or a quota. As with undergrad college, there is an attempt to admit a wide variety of applicants ... does the fact that we admit some self-identified homosexuals mean that we are discriminating against heterosexuals or making it harder for qualified heterosexuals to be admitted?
I think affirmative action is unethical, but I understand the point that medicine is more often a practical system.
Is there any evidence showing that black doctors in black communities have better
outcomes than white doctors in black communities?
I understand there are studies that show that a black person is more likely to choose a black doctor, but I am not willing to accept AA just for a weak result. I am, however, willing to accept AA in order to generate better health
outcomes.
I also understand that feeling more comfortable with your doctor leads to better histories and that in turn leads to better outcomes, but for example, my parents who are Asian did not want to see a white doctor, but had their concerns quickly ameliorated within the first few minutes. So a study should be present, and I am not aware of any.
Failing this criteria, I feel that if there are not enough doctors to serve underpriviledged communities then that is a matter of compensation and incentives, or else excessive job openings in 'better' areas and not enough doctors.
As far as your knowledge goes that nobody has been denied on the basis of their ethnicity, it's simple mathematics:
The accepted group is a defined population A. Members are chosen from separate populations B (URM) and C (other), where A>B+C. Giving more advantage to population B necessitates giving disadvantage to population C.
I agree that it is not much of a disadvantage. Therefore for each individual candidate, it is in their best interest to work on their own application and not worry about others.
However, that does not make it ethical.
The homosexuality example is ridiculous. I'll argue that point as soon as there is a box on the AMCAS application saying URS (underrepresented sexuality), which schools take into consideration for admission.
NOTE: For what it's worth I have already been accepted into a top school and am not personally affected by whatever changes may or may not be made.
