Finding my people: Effects of student identity and vulnerability to Stereotype Threat on sense of belonging in surgery.

BACKGROUND:Diversity in surgery lags behind the medical student population. We documented first-year medical students' vulnerability to stereotype threat (VST) and its impact on a sense of belonging in surgery. METHODS:All first-year medical students at a single academic institution were surveyed. Demographics, VST, anticipated clerkship experience, and sense of belonging were assessed. RESULTS:44% of students were vulnerable to ST in upcoming clerkships, with the majority worried about surgical clerkships. More student from races/ethnicities underrepresented in medicine (URM; 74%) and sexual minorities (62%) were vulnerable than white (30%) and heterosexual (38%) students respectively (p = 0.001 and p = 0.017). Knowing a surgeon with a shared identity would enhance belonging for most students (84%). VST was higher for those who do not anticipate working with (p < 0.001) or do not know a surgeon (p = 0.0001) who shares their identity. CONCLUSION:VST significantly influences a student's sense of belonging in surgery. More research is needed to promote inclusivity in surgery.