High Attrition Rates Among Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Medical Students

A new study reveals that lesbian, gay, and bisexual medical students face higher dropout rates, highlighting the need for targeted support services to promote student success amid ongoing disparities.

2 min read

Recent research published in JAMA Network Open highlights concerning trends in medical education concerning sexual orientation and student retention. A study conducted by Mytien Nguyen from Yale School of Medicine analyzed data from 2014 to 2017, focusing on the attrition rates among medical students at the intersection of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and gender. The study utilized data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, including over 83,000 matriculants.

Findings reveal that students identifying as lesbian, gay, or bisexual (LGB) experience higher dropout rates compared to their non-LGB peers. Specifically, bisexual students had an attrition rate of 4.2%, nearly double the 2.4% rate seen among non-LGB students, while gay and lesbian students had an attrition rate of 3.7%. After adjusting for medical college admission test scores, the analysis showed that LGB students from Asian, Black, and Hispanic backgrounds, as well as White female LGB students, were more likely to leave medical school. The highest risk was observed among Hispanic LGB male and female students, with odds ratios of 3.11 and 3.52 respectively.

The study underscores the importance of understanding the unique challenges faced by marginalized groups in medical education. The authors emphasize that developing targeted support services that address the intersectionality of identity factors can help improve student success and reduce attrition rates among these populations.

This research sheds light on the critical need for institutional awareness and strategies to foster inclusion and retention for LGB students in medical training programs.