Friday, June 25, 2010

Knowing this, how does this affect your choice of physicians? Should it?

This is an example of bad data presentation.  This shows that medical schools let in certain minorities with modest credentials at a higher rate than others.
 But what it does not show is more important:
1. What proportion of all medical students fall into this category?  1%? 10?

2. What proportion of students with these entering credentials graduate?  Are the graduating statistics from this category equal by race?

3.  Did those with these entering credentials achieve better, worse or the same grade levels as other medical students?

I am much more interested in whether or not the GRADUATES received preferential treatment than I am the enrollees.  One could argue that we are willing to take greater risks on underrepresented groups but apply the same high standards to all.  Then the question is only whether the gamble paid off.

This says nothing about the qualifications of Black, Hispanic, and Native American doctors.

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