(Nearly) Everything You Learned About Race in Medical School is Wrong

Generations of medical students have been taught that “race” is a biological risk factor for disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus, diabetes, multiple myeloma and keloids. These future physicians learn that “race” is an important consideration in building a differential diagnosis, choosing laboratory tests and providing optimal patient care. Since humans do not have biological races, this framework is scientifically inaccurate, prejudicial and can contribute to patient harm. This presentation will clarify the distinction between socially defined race and biological race and provide examples of how the conflation of these two concepts manifests in medical education. In addition, strategies for improving discussion of risk factors and patient demographics will be discussed.
After viewing this lecture, participants should be able to:
1. Discuss the impact of systemic racism in health professions curricula.
2. Compare and contrast biological race and socially defined race.
3. Evaluate disparities in the pathophysiology of disease
4. Describe an approach to addressing health disparities in healthcare education.
Andrea T. Deyrup, MD, PhD
Professor, Department of Pathology
Duke University School of Medicine
10/30/24