Race/Ethnicity Concordance Between Patients and Physicians

The growth of our population, especially the older than 65 segment, require more health providers. Moreover, compared to whites, persons of racial/ethnic minorities have less favorable clinical outcomes and this may be related to access to health care. Racial/ethnic concordance between physicians and patients improve outcomes and satisfaction with medical care. New medical schools have been opened, some schools have increased the size of the entering class, and there is the general desire to increase the enrollment and graduation of minority groups' physicians. This report summarizes current progress made in this area.