What Patients and Colleagues Don’t Realize About Minority Doctors

My Experience as a Minority in the Medical Field

Being a minority in medicine is like walking into a room and instantly knowing you are different—sometimes celebrated, sometimes questioned, but always aware. The path to becoming a doctor is hard for everyone, but when you are a minority, there are additional layers of challenges, biases, and expectations that shape your journey.

Whether it is being mistaken for a nurse, janitor, or interpreter, feeling the pressure to "represent your entire race", or navigating subtle (and not-so-subtle) biases, these experiences are not unique to me—they are the reality for many minority physicians.

Here’s what I have learned, the struggles I have faced, and the victories that have made it all worth it.

1. The First Time You Realize You Are “Different” in Medicine

• Medical school was the first time I noticed the room looked… different.
• I walked into orientation and saw only a handful of people who looked like me.
• Suddenly, it was not just about learning medicine—it was about proving I belonged.
• When you are one of the few, your presence feels magnified—every mistake, every success, every interaction.

2. Being Mistaken for Anything but the Doctor

• “Are you here to clean the room?”
• “Where’s the doctor?” (While wearing a white coat and stethoscope.)
• “Can you translate for me?” (When I don’t even speak the language they assume I do.)
• No matter how many degrees I have, I still have to convince people that I am the physician.

It is exhausting having to constantly reaffirm your place in a profession you worked so hard to be in.

3. The Pressure to “Represent” Your Entire Race or Ethnicity

• When there are so few doctors from your background, suddenly your actions feel like they define an entire community.
• If I make a mistake, will they think all doctors like me are incompetent?
• If I speak up, will I be seen as "difficult" or "aggressive" instead of assertive?
• Imposter syndrome feels even heavier when you are one of the only ones in the room.

4. Patients Who Do Not Want a Doctor Like You

• Some patients have explicit biases. They say:
  • "I don’t want a [race/ethnicity/gender] doctor."
  • "Can I get a real doctor?"
• Some are more subtle:
  • They ignore my questions but answer my white colleague.
  • They ask for a second opinion even when I gave the right diagnosis.
• At first, it hurt—but over time, I realized their bias is their problem, not mine.

5. The Loneliness of Not Having Many Mentors Who Look Like You

• Mentorship is critical in medicine.
• But when there are so few people from your background, finding a mentor who understands your unique struggles is tough.
• Sometimes, you have to carve your own path and become the mentor you wish you had.

6. The Power of Representation: Why It Matters

• Patients trust doctors who look like them. Studies show that:
  • Minority patients have better health outcomes when treated by minority doctors.
  • More diversity in medicine leads to better patient care and cultural competence.
• The moment I walked into a room and a patient said, “I’ve never had a doctor who looks like me before,” I knew why this work mattered.

7. The Subtle Biases in Medicine

• Microaggressions are real.
• Being asked, "Where are you REALLY from?" when your answer does not satisfy them.
• Having your medical opinion questioned more often than your colleagues.
• Feeling like you have to work twice as hard for the same recognition.

These moments add up—but they do not define my worth.

8. Breaking Barriers: The Joy of Representation

• The first time a medical student from my background asked me for advice, I felt it.
• The first time a young patient looked at me with pride, I knew it mattered.
• Representation is not just about me—it is about making it easier for the next generation.

9. Finding Your Support System is Key

• Having allies—both within and outside your community—is crucial.
• Some days, you need someone who understands your struggles without explanation.
• Other days, you need mentors who will open doors for you.
• Find your people—whether they share your background or just your belief in equity.

10. Speaking Up Even When It’s Uncomfortable

• Addressing racism, sexism, and bias in medicine is tough, but it has to be done.
• Some colleagues do not even realize their biases until someone points them out.
• Change happens when we speak up. But it comes with risk—being labeled "difficult" or "sensitive."
• The key is knowing when to fight and when to protect your peace.

11. Learning to Own Your Space Without Apology

• At some point, I stopped trying to shrink myself to fit in.
• I stopped downplaying my achievements just to avoid making others uncomfortable.
• I realized that I do not have to prove myself every single day—I already belong here.

12. My Advice for Future Minority Physicians

• You belong in medicine. Do not let anyone make you question that.
• Find mentors and allies. Build a support system that lifts you up.
• Do not carry the weight of representing your entire community. You are allowed to just be a doctor.
• Use your presence to inspire the next generation. You may be the reason someone else chooses this path.

Final Thoughts

Being a minority in medicine is a journey of challenges, resilience, and impact. Every struggle, every barrier broken, and every patient helped is proof that we need more diverse voices in healthcare.

For those who have walked this path, what has your experience been like? Let’s share and support each other.