From Enigma to Equity: Asian American and Pacific Islanders in Cardiothoracic Surgery

IF 3.9 2区医学 Q1 CARDIAC & CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEMS Annals of Thoracic Surgery Pub Date : 2025-07-01 Epub Date: 2025-03-05 DOI:10.1016/j.athoracsur.2025.01.036

Michael Lesgart BS , Alexander An Nguyen MD , Anastasiia K. Tompkins BS , Kathleen S. Berfield MD , Richard Kim MD , Douglas E. Wood MD , David T. Cooke MD , Cherie P. Erkmen MD

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Abstract

Background

Promoting physician diversity is crucial for addressing health care disparities in the United States. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) constitute 5.7% of the United States population and 20% of physicians. However, their experiences in cardiothoracic surgery remain underexplored. This work examines historical context, representation, salary data, and AAPIs’ personal experiences elaborating on biases and misconceptions faced in academic cardiothoracic surgery.

Methods

We conducted a literature review and analyzed representation from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Data Resource Book (2022-2023) and salary data from the Association of American Medical Colleges Faculty Salary Reports (2021-2023).

Results

AAPI trainees constitute 20.7% of thoracic surgery fellows and 25.7% of integrated thoracic surgery residents. AAPI faculty representation was 32.3% of assistant professors, 33.9% of associate professors, and 18.9% of professors. Salary analysis revealed disparities, with AAPI assistant professors earning significantly less than their White counterparts (90.2%; P = .018).

Conclusions

Despite representation in the trainee and faculty cardiothoracic workforce, AAPIs face challenges in cultural biases and salary equity. Individual, institutional, and national efforts valuing diversity and equity of career opportunities in cardiothoracic surgery are needed.

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从谜到公平：亚裔美国人和太平洋岛民的心胸外科。

背景：促进医生多样性是解决美国医疗保健差距的关键。亚裔美国人和太平洋岛民（AAPIs）占美国人口的5.7%，占医生的20%。然而，他们在心胸外科手术方面的经验仍未得到充分的探索。这项工作考察了历史背景、代表性、工资数据和亚太裔的个人经历，阐述了学术心胸外科面临的偏见和误解。方法：我们进行了文献综述，分析了研究生医学教育认证委员会数据资源库（2022-2023）的代表性数据和美国医学院协会教师薪酬报告（2021-2023）的薪酬数据。结果：AAPI学员占胸外科医师的20.7%，占综合胸外科住院医师的25.7%。助理教授占32.3%，副教授占33.9%，教授占18.9%。薪酬分析揭示了差异，亚太裔助理教授的收入明显低于白人同行(90.2%；P = 0.018)。结论：尽管在培训生和教师心脏科工作人员中有代表性，但亚太裔面临着文化偏见和薪酬公平的挑战。需要个人、机构和国家努力重视心胸外科职业机会的多样性和公平性。

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来源期刊

Annals of Thoracic Surgery 医学-呼吸系统

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

13.00%

发文量

1235

审稿时长

42 days

期刊介绍： The mission of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery is to promote scholarship in cardiothoracic surgery patient care, clinical practice, research, education, and policy. As the official journal of two of the largest American associations in its specialty, this leading monthly enjoys outstanding editorial leadership and maintains rigorous selection standards. The Annals of Thoracic Surgery features: • Full-length original articles on clinical advances, current surgical methods, and controversial topics and techniques • New Technology articles • Case reports • "How-to-do-it" features • Reviews of current literature • Supplements on symposia • Commentary pieces and correspondence • CME • Online-only case reports, "how-to-do-its", and images in cardiothoracic surgery. An authoritative, clinically oriented, comprehensive resource, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery is committed to providing a place for all thoracic surgeons to relate experiences which will help improve patient care.