Differential attainment in medical education and training

Challenging beliefs

When differential attainment was first reported in 1995, it was assumed that biased examiners were marking down ethnic minority candidates.5 This belief still prevails despite strong evidence that the effects are similar in machine marked multiple choice examinations6 and despite research showing a lack of bias in examiner marking.7

Another common belief is that differential attainment results from learner deficits among ethnic minority candidates. However, differences remain after controlling for pre-university attainment and socioeconomic status,8 own and parents’ first language, motivation for being a doctor, study habits, living arrangements (home or away), and personality.6

It is important to ensure that examinations are unbiased (and there is little evidence on the fairness or otherwise of workplace based assessments and recruitment), and it is also unhelpful to assume everyone arrives at medical school with equivalent experiences and resources, but focusing solely on trying to “fix” examinations or student deficits risks stigmatising learners and misallocating resources.

Instead, the evidence points to improving the learning experience for ethnic minority students. Learning is social, and interactions between students, teachers, and peers critically affect outcomes,9 yet these are patterned by ethnicity.10 An international review found that minority medical students “experienced less supportive social and less positive learning environments [and] were subject to discrimination and racial harassment.”11

Tackling this institutional problem requires openness and strong leadership. Leaders should make it clear that differential attainment is a systemic problem that affects everyone and not just a problem for ethnic minority students, or one caused by learner deficits. They should inform their approach with local evidence about the outcomes and experiences of ethnic minority learners but guard against inaction if data are lacking because of small numbers of ethnic minority students or staff.

Students and trainees learn best from seniors who are interested in them, believe in them, and give them opportunities to develop.12 Sponsorship is an important predictor of career success.13 As teachers we should reflect on who we give additional support and opportunities to, ensure ethnic minority learners stretch themselves, and create opportunities for those from different ethnic groups to learn together since this combats prejudice.14 Teachers and supervisors need support if they are to fulfil the vital role they have in tackling differential attainment. Fair hiring and promotion processes may help improve the under-representation of clinical academics, teachers, and supervisors from ethnic minority groups.

Celebrate diversity

Forty per cent of UK medical students are from ethnic minority groups,15 yet teachers are often ill equipped to discuss ethnicity, and students are taught about ethnic differences as a problem to manage.16 We need doctors to teach about diversity in an integrated and sensitive manner and to create environments in which diversity is understood and celebrated. Making curriculums more inclusive is a good start, but we also need trained staff and more senior staff from diverse backgrounds.

Discrimination against NHS staff predicts poorer patient satisfaction,17 yet research by The BMJ found evidence that discrimination at medical school typically goes unreported.15 Campaigns on recognising and dealing with discrimination and “micro-aggressions” are increasing, and the BMA has just launched a charter for medical students on tackling harassment.15 Improving systems to tackle unprofessional behaviours must also continue.

We don’t yet have strong evidence supporting specific interventions to reduce differential attainment. But rapid progress can be made through the steps outlined above, along with funding for the development and rigorous evaluation of initiatives, systematic synthesis and sharing of evidence, and implementation of effective strategies. Elimination of all differential attainment is the ultimate goal.