Mini-medical school programs decrease perceived barriers of pursuing medical careers among underrepresented minority high school students

Abstract

Context The percent of underrepresented minority (URM) students who apply to medical school has changed minimally in the past 40 years. Due to the lack of URM applicants, the consequent matriculation of URMs is grossly disproportionate from their percent representation of the US population. Increasing diversity among medical students and physicians has previously been identified as essential to decreasing healthcare disparities among US minorities. Objectives The objective of our study was to recognize the barriers of applying to medical school among URMs in high school. Methods To identify and assess the prevalence of barriers, surveys were distributed to participants of Med-Achieve, a mini-medical school program of diverse high school students in New York City during the 2019–2020 academic year. Results Among students who will be first in their immediate family to attend college, 80.0% perceived a barrier to pursuing medical school. Specified barriers indicated include the cost of medical school (77%), a lack of guidance/role models (53.9%), and the predicted inability to do well in medical school classes (53.9%). At the end of the program, a statistically significant reduction in the barrier of lack of guidance/role models was seen. Conclusions This study highlights the benefit of mini-medical school programs, especially programs with a mentoring component, to decrease the perceived barriers of applying to medical school among URMs. It also suggests the potential role of similar programs to increase diversity in medicine and to decrease healthcare disparities among minorities in the United States.

Factors and barriers that influence the matriculation of underrepresented students in medicine

“…To provide continued motivation to carry on with their pursuit of medical school, URiM and marginalized applicants rely on social support systems and mentoring ( Afghani et al, 2013 ; Acheampong et al, 2019 ; Abdulrazzak et al, 2021 ; Roche et al, 2021b ). For some students, in the face of adversity and stress, connecting with others decreased the negative effects and helped them stay motivated ( Morgan Consoli et al, 2015 ; Acheampong et al, 2019 ).…”

Lessons Learned From Early Undergraduate Exposure to the Medical School Curriculum: A Qualitative Analysis

“…Given that ICMU increases undergraduate students' interest in UNC SOM, recruiting undergraduate students from underrepresented backgrounds for the ICMU course may advance UNC SOM's commitment to diversity and inclusion. One study found that the curriculum exposure in mini-medical school programs helped mitigate the perceived barrier of lack of guidance/role models [28]. ICMU may function similarly as undergraduate students build connections with medical students and faculty.…”

Impact of a Medical Scribe Program on the Educational Trajectory of Prehealth and Underrepresented in Medicine Students

“…URMs comprise only 8% through 13% of medical school matriculants 22,23 ; among medical students, Hispanics are underrepresented by 70% relative to the age-adjusted US population, Black males by 60%, and Black females by 40%. 24,25 Future research could investigate whether intentional recruitment and support of URM scribes leads to higher numbers of URM matriculants or whether scribe placement in critical shortage specialties (eg, family medicine) or underserved clinical settings (eg, rural) leads to higher numbers of students interested in those careers. Postbaccalaureate scribing programs may serve as pipeline development for prehealth students and may help increase the diversity of the future health care workforce.…”