Virtual Mentor. September 1999, Volume 1, Number 1.

Ethics Poll

Affirmative Action and Medical School Admissions

The Ethics Poll is a snapshot of the opinions of interested readers.

After recent passage of anti-affirmative action laws in several states, US medical schools experienced a 13% drop among underrepresented minority applicants (African Americans, Mexican Americans, Native Americans, and Mainland Puerto Ricans). What actions do you favor to address this situation?
Increase outreach and recruitment of underrepresented minorities
Develop special educational programs to prepare underrepresented minorities
Insist on the same entrance standard for all medical school applicants
Repeal anti-affirmative action laws
Apply affirmative action to the economically disadvantaged

Poll Results

What actions do you favor to address this situation?

205 votes recorded

Increase outreach and recruitment of underrepresented minorities
25 Votes - 12%

Develop special educational programs to prepare underrepresented minorities
21 Votes - 10%

Insist on the same entrance standard for all medical school applicants
92 Votes - 44%

Repeal anti-affirmative action laws
10 Votes - 4%

Apply affirmative action to the economically disadvantaged
57 Votes - 27%

References

  1. Clawson DK. Challenges and opportunities of racial diversity in medical education [abstract]. Clin Orthop. 1999;362:34-39. Available at: MEDLINE. Accessed on September 15, 1999.
  2. Oppenheimer DB. Carcieri's self-described "progressive" critique of all the ACLU proposition 209: a "conservative" response. Santa Clara L Rev. 1999;39(Rev 1153).
  3. Carlisle, DM, Gardner, JE, Honghu, L. The entry of underrepresented minority students into US medical schools: an evaluation of recent trends [abstract]. Am J Public Health. 1998;88:1314-1318. Available at: APHA Web site. Accessed on September 1, 1999.
  4. Helms LB, Helms CM. Affirmative action medical education: a legal perspective [abstract]. Acad Med. 1998;73:231-236. Available at: Acad Med Web site. Accessed on September 1, 1999.
  5. Tekian A. Minority students, affirmative action, and the administration process: a survey of 15 medical schools [abstract]. Acad Med. 1998;73:986-992. Available at: Acad Med Web site. Accessed on September 1, 1999.
  6. Davidson RC, Lewis LE. Affirmative action and other special consideration admissions at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine [abstract]. JAMA. 1997;278:1153-1158. Available at: JAMA Web site. Accessed on September 1, 1999.
  7. Cohen, JJ. Finishing the bridge to diversity [abstract]. Acad Med. 1997;72:103-109. Available at: Acad Med Web site. Accessed on September 1, 1999.
  8. Libby DL, Zhou Z, Kindig DA. Will minority physician supply meet US needs [abstract]? DataWatch. 1997;16:205-213. Available at: Data Watch Web site. Accessed on September 1, 1999.
  9. Olivas MA. Diversity of opinions: constitutional criteria: the social science and common law of admissions decisions in higher education. U Colo L Rev. 1997;68(Rev 1065).
  10. Stefancic J. Affirmative action: An overview of the Colorado Law Review Symposium. U Colo L Rev. 1997;68(Rev 1065). Available at: U Colo L Rev Web site. Accessed on September 1, 1999.
  11. Helms LB, Helms CM, Biggs SE. Litigation in medical education: retrospect and prospect. J Contemp H L & Policy. 1995;11(Rev 317).
Poll results reflect the opinions of visitors to the site who voluntarily answer the poll questions. Those visitors do not represent a random sample of Virtual Mentor readers. The viewpoints expressed on this site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the AMA.