Currently, 2.8% of U.S. neurologists identify as Black/African-American. Previous studies have not fully explored factors associated with decisions among URiM students to pursue neurology as a specialty. Understanding these factors is critical as the field seeks to diversify.

A 27-question survey was created with the Qualtrics platform to assess beliefs about neurology and values that may guide choice in subspecialty decision making. The survey was sent nationally to various student groups, including the Student National Medical Association (SNMA), Students Interested in Neurology Groups (SIGN). Survey items were scores on a 1 to 5 Likert scale (1 = “strongly disagree”, 5 = “strongly agree”). An analysis of nonparametric variables (ie. Mann-Whitney U test) was conducted at a 95% confidence interval and descriptive statistics were used.

A subgroup of 76 Black/African-American medical students across all 4 years of medical school completed the survey; 97.4% were aged 18 -34, 70.7% were female, 32.9% were first-generation, and 22.4% were interested in neurology. Of the overall complete responders (n=59), the most important values reported as agree/strongly when considering neurology as a subspeciality including opportunities to work with diverse patient populations (95%), community engagement/underrepresented communities (89.9%), length of neurology (83%), and level of interventions to address systemic bias and reduce health disparity (81.4%). Several differences were noted by choice in neurology: 1) perception of work/life balance and future family planning, 2) research opportunities, competitiveness, and length of training, 3) inclusivity and available interventions to address systemic bias. 

In our survey, several themes emerged between factors of Black/African-American medical students based on choice to pursue neurology. Understanding these factors may help in aligning values with efforts to increase diversity, inclusion, and equity.