Hispanic/Latinx Representation in the US Physician Workforce

This chapter discusses the relevant data and the rationale for diversity in the workforce, focusing on the inclusion of Hispanic/Latinx physicians in medicine. By 2044, more than half of the United States (US) population is projected to belong to a minority group with the largest proportion identifying as Hispanic/Latinx. Therefore, it is essential to provide insights into the unique challenges Hispanic/Latinx physicians face as they progress through every level of medical training. Physicians from groups under-represented in medicine (URM) face additional barriers as they advance in their careers. Historically, URM, including women, have been excluded from leadership roles in academic medicine. It is imperative to ensure diversity in the workforce; ethnic concordance guarantees higher compliance and trust between minority patients and physicians. Educating the medical community about inclusion and diversity is critical to ensure fair equality to URM trainees and faculty. It will help close health disparities and create a more equitable health system where similar opportunities are attainable regardless of racial or ethnic background. This chapter will review the rationale for a physician workforce diversity, which is appropriately inclusive of Hispanic/Latinx physicians, current and historical trends in Hispanic/Latinx workforce representation, barriers to diversity and inclusion, and finally evidence-based interventions and solutions to improve representation, inclusion, and belonging of Hispanic/Latinx physicians in the US physician workforce.