Background: This study leverages Google Trends (GT) data to investigate the increasing demand for minority urologists across the United States, reflecting broader societal shifts toward diversity and inclusion. We aimed to quantify and understand public interest in minority urologists, providing insights into potential disparities in urological care and the alignment of urologist demographics with patient populations.
Methodology: We employed GT to analyze search volumes for keyword terms including “female urologist”, “black urologist”, “brown urologist”, and “Spanish urologist” between 2004 and 2023 to gauge public interest and identify trends over time. The search volume index (SVI) data of these four terms was compared with state-specific urologist demographic data to highlight regional disparities in the availability of urologists from these underrepresented groups.
Results: Results demonstrated that public interest in minority urologist search terms continuously increased throughout the past two decades. Analysis revealed a significant and consistent increase in search volumes for female urologists, particularly in states like New Jersey, Texas, and New York. Research for Black and Brown urologists has shown consistent interest nationally, with fluctuations in certain areas.
Conclusion: The findings underscore a critical and growing public interest in accessing urologists who reflect diverse demographic backgrounds. These trends highlight the need for strategic efforts in medical education and public health initiatives to increase the diversity of the urology workforce, ensuring equitable access to culturally competent urological care. Further research is necessary to delve deeper into state-specific demands and to develop targeted strategies for addressing the disparities in urological care access.

Urology, Diversity, Google trends, Public interest, Healthcare disparities, Minority urologists, Physician representation.

Internet search data offers a significant insight into understanding public interest and identifying disparities in healthcare access. Analyzing trends in public interest through platforms like GT reveals patterns in information-seeking behavior, highlighting areas where the healthcare system may not adequately address diverse patient needs. This approach is particularly relevant in urology, where personal health conditions often prompt individuals to seek information discreetly. Exploring these search patterns allows for a better understanding of public interest in diverse urologist demographics, providing a unique lens into the dynamics of healthcare demand and supply.

Search engines allow for simple access to information on the internet, with Google Search serving as the preference for 90% of all internet users.[1] Prior data has shown that one in every two people uses Google to obtain information from the internet, with almost 25% of these people searching in English.[2] GT presents data relating to how often a phrase or word is searched for, and in which states, by internet users using Google searches. GT can be applied to healthcare-related research as it provides insights into search trends made through the Google search engine platform. Specifically, the data can help study internet health information, such as seeking behaviors and interest in various medical conditions within urology. The inherently personal nature of urological conditions, such as nocturnal enuresis and erectile dysfunction, often drives individuals to seek discreet information, typically through internet searches. Research has demonstrated that there is a substantial interest in urological terms on GT, showcasing the platform’s role in illuminating public health concerns.[3] This study fills a void within the research by using GT to evaluate public interest in minority representation in urology.

By analyzing search volumes, GT offers a valuable tool to gauge public queries and apprehensions concerning health issues, including sensitive and personal conditions like those encountered in urology.[4] This platform’s utility lies in its ability to reveal temporal and geographic variations in public interest, thereby aiding the identification of potential gaps in healthcare provision and cultural competence among providers. Trends in search volumes can reveal shifts in patient preferences, thereby informing strategies aimed at enhancing the representation of minority urologists to promote a more equitable healthcare system.[5] Understanding public interest through GT data reveals not only patterns in patient information-seeking behavior but also underscores significant gaps in healthcare access for minority populations.

Culturally competent care is essential in enhancing patient outcomes and satisfaction by addressing cultural, language, and health beliefs. When health care providers are sensitive to the cultural contexts and needs of their patients, there is an improvement in treatment adherence and trust.[6,7] By aligning health care delivery with patients’ cultural and linguistic backgrounds, inherent barriers to effective care can be mitigated.[4] This alignment is not only beneficial for improved clinical outcomes but also fosters a stronger provider-patient relationship, which is crucial in promoting health equity across diverse populations.[8,9]

The field of urology has long faced challenges in achieving workforce diversity, with underrepresented minority (URM) physicians making up a disproportionately small percentage of practicing urologists. This lack of representation may contribute to disparities in access to care, patient trust, and treatment adherence, particularly among minority patient populations. Consequently, there is a pressing need for the healthcare system to recruit and retain more minority urologists, thereby enhancing the provision of culturally competent care.[10,11] Such alignment not only improves patient satisfaction but also ensures equity in treatment outcomes, as minority patients often face unique challenges in healthcare settings. According to strategies outlined by Dai et al., attracting URMs into urology is essential to address disparities and align the workforce with community needs.[12] When patients encounter providers who mirror their own racial or ethnic backgrounds, there is often an enhanced willingness to engage in discussions about sensitive health topics, leading to improved communication and relationship-building.[7] Without these connections, minority patients may experience reluctance in pursuing necessary healthcare interventions, exacerbating existing health disparities.[13,14] By fostering diversity among healthcare professionals, particularly in fields like urology, the healthcare system can better meet the needs of its diverse patient population, which is essential for promoting equitable access to quality care.

This paper aims to dissect the public’s growing demand for culturally competent urologists and explore how aligning the provider workforce with the cultural and linguistic needs of the community can bridge the gap in healthcare disparities. The objective of this study is to assess demand for female, Black, Brown, and Spanish-speaking urologists across the United States using GT as a proxy for patient interest, and to highlight regions where demand for diverse providers outpaces supply, underscoring healthcare disparities. Analyzing trends in minority urologists allows for an examination of their representation in the workforce, geographic distribution, and subspecialty choices.

This study utilized GT to investigate public interest in minority urologists across the United States. GT online searches were focused on the keyword terms “female urologist,” “black urologist,” “brown urologist,” and “Spanish urologist” from January 1, 2004, to December 31, 2023. These terms were selected based on their relevance to identifying trends in minority urologists, reflecting growing demographic considerations within the field of urology.

GT: GT is a free, publicly available web-based online tracking system that provides information and trends regarding Google search volumes. GT provides search information about specific keywords from all inquiries done using Google search during a particular time. GT has been utilized for public health research in the past, as it quantifies popularity and interest for search terms using Google search volumes as surrogates.

Data was reported from GT as a search volume index (SVI), a normalized scale from 0 (minimal or no interest) to 100 (high popularity) based on the popularity of search terms at a given time relative to the peak popularity during the report period. SVI can be reported by month or by region. The popularity of a specific search term can be shown for each month relative to other months in the designated period within a geographic area. The most popular month is defined as having an SVI of 100, and all other months’ SVIs are defined relative to the most popular month on a scale from 0 to 99. Alternatively, the popularity of search terms over the designated period can be compared between geographic regions. The region with the highest search proportion is defined to have an SVI of 100, and other SVIs are given in relation to the highest.

Data analysis: SVI data from GT were analyzed for each search term annually to identify trends and fluctuations in public interest over time. This involved a detailed examination of yearly data points to discern any significant changes that could indicate shifts in public demand for minority urologists. The analysis extended to examining the geographic distribution of search queries. This involved mapping SVI data across different states to highlight areas with particularly high or low demand for minority urologists, providing insight into regional disparities. SVI data were juxtaposed with demographic data obtained from the 2023 American Urological Association (AUA) Census, which provided insights into the actual number of practicing urologists from minority groups within each state. AUA census reports were used to analyze workforce demographics, specialty trends, and geographic distribution. These comparisons aimed to identify misalignments between the availability of minority urologists and public demand. Data visualization was employed to present complex data in an accessible format, including dot plots that displayed the trends for each search term from 2011 to 2023, highlighting the yearly changes in public interest over time.

Descriptive analytics were utilized to evaluate changes in minority urologist representation over time, while geospatial mapping identified regions with high minority patient populations but low representation of minority urologists. There was no major data prior to 2011, as search volume was minimal from 2004 to 2010, so it was omitted from the study.

The analysis of GT data from 2004 to 2023 revealed significant insights into the public interest and demand dynamics for minority urologists across the United States (Figure 1). Trend lines are shown for each search term over the study period (2011-2023), illustrating the growth in searches for female, brown, and Spanish-speaking urologists alongside the more stable but significant interest in Black urologists.

Figure 1: Trends in “Minority Urologist” search terms over time

States with sufficient GT data for the “female urologist” search term were included in Table 1. Demand analysis for female urologists by state is shown, highlighting the states with the highest discrepancies between search interest and available urologists, thus pinpointing areas for potential intervention.

Table 1: State-specific female urologist demand analysis

Our study has brought to light significant findings concerning the demand dynamics for female, Black, Brown, and Spanish-speaking urologists. Minority urologist searches increased consistently yearly except for in 2020, where every search term decreased except for “Black urologist” (Figure 1). With fewer in-person visits to the doctor during the COVID-19 pandemic, there was likely an underutilization of urologists, and more specifically, minority urologists, leading to less internet interest. The consistent increase in search volumes across these demographics underscores a critical and growing gap between the current urology workforce and the diverse needs of the patient population it serves. This gap is not just a matter of numbers but also of the cultural competency required to treat a diverse patient base effectively.

Interest in Black urologists remained consistent nationally, with periodic spikes that may correlate with broader societal movements or public discussions about racial diversity in healthcare. These findings suggest a steady recognition of the need for racial diversity among healthcare providers, which may enhance cultural competence and patient comfort. Searches for Brown urologists showed more variability, possibly reflecting less public awareness or fewer targeted searches. The term Spanish-speaking urologists demonstrated consistent search volumes over the study period, highlighting an ongoing need for language-specific medical care, underscoring the importance of linguistic diversity in patient-provider communication. This need is particularly crucial in states with high Hispanic populations, where language barriers can significantly impact patient healthcare access and outcomes.

Data on female urologists demonstrated a notable upward trend in the search volume for “female urologist” (Figure 2). This was especially pronounced in states such as New Jersey (6.3), Texas (4.9), and New York (4.1). These results suggest a growing recognition and demand for female providers in urology, likely influenced by increasing patient preference for gender concordance in medical care, particularly for conditions involving gender-specific health issues. The search interest peak in these states could be correlated with larger urban populations and potentially greater awareness and advocacy for gender diversity in healthcare.

Comparing the SVI to urologist-to-population ratios revealed that in regions with high search volumes but low ratios of minority urologists, there are clear opportunities for targeted recruitment and education efforts to align the workforce with community needs. Areas with low search interest might benefit from public health campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of diverse medical practitioners.

Analysis of female-patient-to-female-urologist ratios highlighted significant regional shortages. This is most obvious in states like New Jersey, which had the highest interest relative to the number of female urologists at 96.9, but one of the lowest values of practicing female urologists at 29. These results suggest disparities in access to female and minority urologists, stressing the need for diverse representation in urology. While some states showed high search volumes, indicating a potential gap between supply and demand, others had minimal searches, which could either suggest satisfaction with available care or a lack of awareness about the potential benefits of demographic concordance in medical treatment.

In general, the interest in the number of female urologists’ ratio is still higher in states with higher interest than those without, demonstrating a mismatch, where demand exceeds local workforce supply. This is especially pronounced in states such as New Jersey (96.9), New York (44.9), Texas (36.3), and Florida (30). The Sum of Interest/Urologist to Population ratio reflects the number of Google searches made for female urologists relative to the number of urologists in that state, adjusted for the population. Higher values in this ratio suggest a greater search interest for female urologists per capita, which can imply that there is an increased need for urologists in these states who meet the search criteria. Among the states with sufficient data, Texas, California, New York, New Jersey, and Florida have the highest demand ratio values.

The results from this study emphasize the public’s growing interest and the critical need for a more diverse urology workforce that mirrors the demographic composition of the patient population it serves. These trends not only reflect societal shifts towards greater inclusivity but also point to potential areas for policymakers, educational institutions, and healthcare organizations to focus on improving healthcare delivery and patient satisfaction.

Disparities in urological care are multifaceted, involving not only racial and ethnic gaps but also gender disparities in both patients and providers. Studies have shown that minority patients often receive lower-quality care compared to their white counterparts, which is exacerbated by a lack of minority physicians who can provide culturally competent care.[2] This inequity is particularly pronounced in urology, a field that has traditionally fallen behind others in terms of diversity within its workforce.[2] Cultural and linguistic concordance between physicians and patients has demonstrated improved patient outcomes by enhancing communication, fostering trust, and increasing the likelihood of patients following recommended treatments.

The increased demand for minority urologists, as indicated by GT analysis, suggests that patients are actively seeking providers who they believe can best understand and address their specific health concerns. This search behavior reflects a broader trend towards patient-centered care, where patient preferences and values are central to the decision-making process. The data may also indicate growing public interest in urology-related care, particularly for conditions like prostate cancer, which disproportionately affects certain demographics.

This study elucidates areas with potential mismatches between the available workforce and community needs, thus highlighting regions where minority representation among urologists is particularly lacking. Understanding these geographical discrepancies is pivotal in developing strategies to align the demographic composition of urologists with community needs, thereby promoting equity and improving the quality of urologic care nationwide. The implications of this research are profound, pointing to the need for strategic initiatives to recruit and train more diverse medical professionals in urology. Moreover, by identifying specific regions where the demand for diverse urologists is particularly high, medical institutions can tailor their outreach and training programs to meet these needs better.

Ultimately, public interest in minority urologists, as evidenced by GT data, holds substantial potential to shape healthcare policies and practices. This increasing demand signals policymakers the critical need for diverse and culturally competent healthcare providers, urging them to develop initiatives that enhance minority representation across medical fields.[8] Such initiatives might include targeted recruitment efforts, scholarships, and mentorship programs designed to attract underrepresented groups into the field of urology. Furthermore, healthcare institutions could leverage this data to address systemic inequities, thereby aligning the workforce with community needs and ensuring equitable healthcare access.[11] These efforts not only strive to improve healthcare outcomes for minority patients but also foster trust and engagement between patients and providers, reinforcing the foundation for a more inclusive healthcare system.

Despite being the first study to evaluate public interest in minority urologists by using GT, our study has some limitations. Even though the majority of internet users choose the Google search engine during internet searches, there is a lack of data from various other search engines, which may provide differing results. Additionally, we only included keywords in English. The English language was the most used language in Google search, and analyzing more than one language may prove confusing or complicate analysis.

GT does not measure the prevalence of the condition but measures the relative interest in search terms. The inability to measure the absolute number of searches within a region denies us the ability to evaluate whether this prevalence could also be influenced by factors associated with internet usage. Additionally, given that the data does not indicate where Google search results came from, the present results need to be considered exploratory, and further research is warranted using quantifiable data tied to searchers’ identification data, such as age, occupation, and context. While GT analysis has been utilized as a surrogate of public interest and popularity, given the rise in internet use in scientific and medical communities, the results might not be completely representative of the interests of the public and could be confounded.

Limitations: The study acknowledges certain limitations, including the reliance on a single digital tool (GT), which might not capture all nuances of search behavior or the full spectrum of demographic interests. Additionally, the use of SVI, while useful for identifying trends, does not provide direct insights into the motives or identities of the individuals conducting these searches. Our analysis is strictly descriptive in nature. We did not apply inferential statistical testing or generate confidence intervals; therefore, the findings should be interpreted as exploratory patterns rather than formal associations. Future research could expand upon this work by integrating more diverse data sources or directly surveying populations to gain deeper insight into the motivations behind search behaviors.

In conclusion, our study provides crucial insight into the public’s growing demand for a more diverse workforce. It underscores the importance of aligning medical education and recruitment efforts with the evolving demographic needs of the patient population. Ultimately, this alignment will not only improve the quality of care but also enhance patient satisfaction and trust in their healthcare providers, leading to better patient outcomes in urological care.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Howard University College of Medicine and the Howard University Hospital department of urology for their support on this research project. Without their assistance, this research would not have been possible.

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Corresponding Author:
Pamela Coleman
Department of Urology
Howard University College of Medicine, Howard University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA
Email: mekdembisrat21@gmail.com

Co-Authors:
Marek Harris, Nader Shayegh, Whitley Hatton, Matthew DeLeary, Rasheed Thompson, Jennifer M Thelus, Jeremy Tonkin, Leslie A Deane
Department of Urology
Howard University College of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA

Mekdem Bisrat
Department of Internal Medicine
Howard University, Washington DC, USA

Miriam Michael
Department of Nephrology
Howard University, School of Medicine, University of Maryland, American University of Antigua College of Medicine, USA

Marek Harris and Nader Shayegh contributed to the conceptualization and methodology of the study. The investigation was carried out by Marek Harris, Nader Shayegh, and Jennifer M. Thelus. Formal analysis was performed by Marek Harris, Nader Shayegh, and Rasheed Thompson. The original draft was written by Marek Harris, Nader Shayegh, and Matthew DeLeary, while the review and editing were completed by Marek Harris, Whitley Hatton, and Rasheed Thompson. Supervision was provided by Marek Harris, Jeremy Tonkin, Leslie A. Deane, Mekdem Bisrat, Miriam Michael, and Pamela Coleman. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

We used the publicly available data published by GT (Google LLC, Mountain View, CA, USA). No patient data was analyzed. Therefore, Institutional Ethics Committee approval was not needed. The study adhered to ethical standards concerning digital data usage, ensuring no personally identifiable information was involved in data collection or analysis. All research methods were performed following relevant guidelines and regulations.

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

None

https://doi.org/10.63096/medtigo30623310

Harris M, Shayegh N, Hatton W, et al. Demand Dynamics for Minority Urologists: Physician Representation and Patient Access in Urologic Care: A Google Trends Analysis. medtigo J Med. 2025;3(3):e30623310. doi:10.63096/medtigo30623310 Crossref