The Impact of Race on Healthcare

A 2018 BMA survey found that despite the growing numbers of black, Asian and minority ethnic doctors, 45% of them didn't feel there was respect for diversity nor a culture of inclusion in their main place of work.

The race report also doesn't acknowledge how workers from some ethnic minority backgrounds continue to be overrepresented in lower pay grades and underrepresented in higher grade roles.

Underrepresentation at leadership level and fewer career progression opportunities are evidence of the structural inequalities that persist within our healthcare system. These same factors may have also helped foster an environment where some ethnic minority healthcare workers experience bullying and harassment more than their white colleagues.

Race also plays a significant factor in the progression of doctors. There continues to be a pass rate gap in all medical postgraduate exams, between UK-trained white doctors (76%), UK-trained ethnic minority doctors (63%) and IMG doctors (41%).

Evidence shows that structural racism leads to people from ethnic minority backgrounds having poorer health outcomes. The impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority healthcare workers is confirmation of this. Within the healthcare workforce, a shocking 85% of the doctors who died from COVID-19 were from ethnic minority backgrounds. It is less likely that socioeconomic factors can explain this disproportionate impact.

BMA surveys of members during the pandemic found that doctors from ethnic minority backgrounds were more likely to feel pressured to work without adequate PPE, and were more afraid to speak out about safety concerns for fear of recrimination, or it affecting their careers.

This information is from the BMA article 'Race inequalities and ethnic disparities in healthcare'. More information about race and healthcare can be found on the british medical association's website.