Impact of minority physicians on health care.
BACKGROUND
There is concern that anti-affirmative-action measures will negate gains made ill educating underrepresented minority physicians and that this underrepresentation may have a negative impact on access to health care for these same underrepresented groups.


METHODS
A review of the literature was completed to examine the relationship between opportunities for underrepresented minorities in medical education and the role of minority physicians in providing access to health care for underserved populations. The current number of minority physicians in the United States is discussed, and a historical perspective is provided regarding efforts to increase the numbers.


RESULTS
The data consistently indicate that minority physicians provide a disproportionately greater share of health care to underserved groups.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings reveal that there may be a significant negative impact on access to health care among poor, minority, and underserved populations as a result of judicial and legislative actions that curtail affirmative action programs in medical education.
Thurmond
V B
VB
School of Medicine, Minority Academic Advising Program, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912, USA.
Kirch
D G
DG
D004501:Education, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010820:Physicians / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D014481:United States