A recent study presented at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting has shed light on a concerning trend in the field of hematology and oncology. As young doctors progress through their training and early career stages, they tend to move away from areas with high populations of non-Hispanic Black patients, potentially worsening existing health care disparities in cancer treatment.
Researchers from Wellstar Spalding Medical Center and the Medical College of Georgia analyzed the career trajectories of 703 graduates from 65 accredited hematology and oncology fellowship programs between 2019 and 2022. They found a clear pattern: as these physicians advance from medical school to residency, fellowship, and their first attending positions, they increasingly relocate to areas with lower concentrations of Black populations.
This migration trend is particularly pronounced in the transition from fellowship to the first attending position. The study revealed that trainees not only move away from areas with high non-Hispanic Black populations but also gravitate towards regions with higher household incomes as their careers progress.
The implications of this pattern are significant for cancer care equity. Areas with high Black populations, which often face shortages of oncologists, may see these shortages worsen as young doctors choose to practice elsewhere. This could lead to reduced access to specialized cancer care for minority communities, potentially impacting treatment outcomes and overall health disparities.
The researchers emphasize the need for targeted policies to address these geographic, socioeconomic, and racial inequalities in the distribution of cancer care professionals. Without intervention, the current trends could further entrench existing disparities in access to quality cancer treatment across different regions and demographic groups.
See “Access, Equity, and Quality of Life: Managed Care and Myeloma” (December 7, 2024)
