A national study conducted by the University of São Paulo (USP) reveals that while affirmative action policies have successfully increased access to medical education for underrepresented groups in Brazil, they have not effectively addressed the inequalities encountered in securing medical residency positions. The study analyzed over 110,000 graduates from 2018 to 2022 and found that those who graduated through quota systems had a 27% lower chance of entering residency programs compared to their peers who were not part of such initiatives.

This research focused on the impact of racial, social, and income quotas in public institutions, as well as financial support in private ones, on access to medical specialization, which is known to be one of the most competitive aspects of medical careers in Brazil. Despite quotas being one of the recent policy developments in the medical field, the study highlights significant gaps remain in transitioning from medical degree completion to residency placement, indicating a flawed pathway in the affirmative action initiative.

Professor Mario Scheffer, one of the study's authors, emphasizes that medical education was one of the last fields to adopt quotas, reflecting how systemic inequalities continue to persist despite progress. The findings stress the necessity for ongoing reforms to bridge these gaps and ensure that increased educational access translates into equal opportunities in medical training and specialization for all graduates, particularly those benefiting from affirmative action policies.