A second survey of graduates of a traditionally black college of medicine

Abstract

To update and expand upon its 1975-76 survey of 729 graduates of seven classes, Howard University College of Medicine (HUCM) conducted a longer survey in 1985-86 of 1,985 graduates spanning 49 classes. Replies of the 728 respondents to the second survey confirm that HUCM's predominantly black alumni were continuing to provide patient care to a substantial number of poor blacks in urban areas. Fifty-six percent of all HUCM alumni were in primary care, compared with 46% of all alumni of U.S. medical schools who were in primary care. New findings included concerns about malpractice suits and physician impairment. Regarding physician supply in their own communities, 53% of respondents believed that there were too many physicians overall, but 63% believed there were too few black physicians. For the 1940-1969 graduates, loans financed 10% of their medical education, and indebtedness influenced the types of practice chosen by 4%; comparable figures for the 1970-1980 graduates were 25% and 11%.