Pursuing a Career in Pediatrics: Intersection of Educational Debt and Race/Ethnicity

• Published in: The Journal of pediatrics 2023-01, Vol.252, p.162-170
• Main Authors: Orr, Colin J., Turner, Adam L., Ritter, Victor S., Gutierrez-Wu, Jennifer, Leslie, Laurel K.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Career Choice; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; educational debt; Ethnicity; Hispanic or Latino; Humans; Pediatrics; race/ethnicity; United States
• ISSN: 0022-3476; 1097-6833
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2022.08.014

To examine the associations among pediatric trainees’ self-reported race/ethnicity, educational debt, and other factors for pursuing a pediatrics career. Cross-sectional study using data from the American Board of Pediatrics In-training Examination Post-examination Survey years 2018-2020 of categorical pediatric interns. Independent variable of interest was race/ethnicity. Classifications used were White, Hispanic/Latinx, Black/African American, Asian, and other/multiracial. The primary dependent variable was educational debt; secondary dependent variables included the importance of personal, professional, and financial factors in selecting a pediatric career. Means with 95% CIs were computed to summarize scores regarding a factor's importance. Chi-square tests of homogeneity and one-way ANOVA F tests were used to compare proportions and means of dependent variables across levels of self-reported race/ethnicity. A total of 11 150 (91.5%) completed the survey. Of the final analytical sample (7 943), approximately 6.3% self-identified as Black/African American, 8.2% as Hispanic/Latinx, 22% as Asian, and 55% as White; 44% reported >$200 000 of debt. Overall, 33% of those identifying as Black/African American had >$300 000 in educational debt. The highest ranked career factor was interest in a specific disease/patient population. The importance of educational debt in career choices was highest among those identifying as Black/African American, followed by Asians and Hispanic/Latinx. Among all races/ethnicities, the importance of mentorship decreased with higher educational debt. Among individuals pursuing pediatrics, the intersection of race/ethnicity and debt may influence trainees’ pursuit of pediatric careers. Educational debt negatively impacts the importance of mentorship.