There are 841,322 actively practicing physicians in total, and 537,351 — or 63.9 percent — indicated they identify as white, according to the Association of American Medical College's "2022 Physician Specialty Data Report."
The report is based on data from the American Medical Association, the Census Bureau and a national resident database and tracking system. Overall, it covers about 950,000 physicians and physicians-in-training across 48 of the largest specialties in 2021, according to a Jan. 12 AAMC news release.
The effort of diversifying the healthcare workforce has increased in recent years, with health systems developing programs to increase diversity among their staff and the creation of scholarships for students from underrepresented backgrounds who are pursuing mental health degrees.
There are 31,741 actively practicing psychiatrists. Here is a breakdown of responses when asked what race they identify as, listed from highest representation to least:
- White: 20,891 (65.8 percent)
- Asian: 5,628 (17.7 percent)
- Hispanic (alone or with any other race): 2,366 (7.5 percent)
- Black or African American: 1,904 (6 percent)
- Multiracial (Non-Hispanic): 491 (1.5 percent)
- Other: 322 (1 percent)
- American Indian or Alaska Native: 113 (0.4 percent)
- Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander: 26 (0.1 percent)