Diversity in the Dermatology Workforce and in Academic Medicine

Abstract

Health disparities exist in marginalized patient populations throughout medical specialties, including in dermatology. It is important that the physician workforce reflect the diversity of the US population to address these disparities. At present, the dermatology workforce does not reflect the racial or ethnic diversity of the US population. The subspecialties of pediatric dermatology, dermatopathology, and dermatologic surgery are even less diverse than the dermatology workforce as a whole. Although women make up over half of the population of dermatologists, disparities still exists in areas such as compensation and presence in leadership positions.

Keywords: Academic dermatology; Diversity; Health disparities; Physician workforce.