A recent study from the University of Miami's Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center found that women oncologists who graduated from international medical schools report experiencing roughly 10 times as much discrimination as their male counterparts.
The study surveyed oncologists working or training in the U.S. who graduated from international or Puerto Rican medical schools, according to a May 23 system news release. The survey included oncologists who were either training in a residency or fellowship program in the U.S. or who had completed training and were practicing as independent oncologists.
Of female respondents, 50% reported gender discrimination during their training or practice, compared to fewer than 5% of male respondents.
Nearly 70% of the women surveyed reported racism or ethnicity-based discrimination during their training, compared to 38% of men.
Culture shock and challenges adapting to American traditions were also issues for 65% of women and 44% of men.
"The survey relies on self-reporting, some of the results could also be due to differences in how men and women perceive cultural adaptation challenges or discrimination," lead author Coral Olazagasti, MD, noted in the release.