Southeast and East Asian American medical students’ perceptions of careers in academic medicine

Zhang, L., Lee, E. S. , Kenworthy, C. A., Chiang, S., Holaday, L., Spencer, D. J., Poll-Hunter, N. I. and Sánchez, J. P. (2019) Southeast and East Asian American medical students’ perceptions of careers in academic medicine. Journal of Career Development, 46(3), pp. 235-250. (doi: 10.1177/0894845317740225)

Abstract

The Asian race represents one of the fastest growing racial groups in the United States that have unique health-care issues and barriers to services. Despite being the second largest racial group among medical students, Asians represent a markedly smaller proportion of leadership. Greater inclusion may facilitate Asian-related curriculum content development, community-engaged research, and increased services for Asian communities. This article explores Southeast and East Asian American (AA) medical students’ perceptions of and challenges toward pursuing academic medicine careers. We collected quantitative and qualitative data among 138 participants. Factors that increased trainees’ interests include collaboration with others, teaching and research opportunities, and influential role models/mentors. Interventions identified to overcome perceived challenges include exposure to senior-level race-concordant role models and mentors, enhancement of communication skills, and informed career discussions between parents and trainees. Such interventions may engage more AA trainees into academia and facilitate their growth as leaders.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lee, Edward Seungho
• Authors: Zhang, L., Lee, E. S., Kenworthy, C. A., Chiang, S., Holaday, L., Spencer, D. J., Poll-Hunter, N. I., and Sánchez, J. P.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Career Development
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• ISSN: 0894-8453
• ISSN (Online): 1556-0856
• Published Online: 30 November 2017