Advanced search

Search results      


A Peer-led Program to Increase Diversity in Osteopathic Medical Schools: Three Year Update

Journal: Journal of Osteopathic Medicine Date: 2022/12, 122(12):Pages: A121-A122. doi: Subito , type of study: longitudinal study

Full text    (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jom-2022-2000/html)

Keywords:

diversity [8]
longitudinal study [28]
medical schools [156]
osteopathic medicine [1540]
programs [60]
USA [1086]

Abstract:

Statement of Significance: According to the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), diversity among the student body facilitates cultural competence in medical education. A UCLA study found that medical students who attend racially and ethnically diverse medical schools feel that they are better equipped to serve diverse patient populations. In addition, physicians from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups are likely to be able to better identify and empathize with racially/ethnically marginalized patients. Research Methods: The DREAM (Diversity Recognized Emphasized and Assimilated into Medicine) Program consisted of workshops and talks that were chosen to counter dis-empowering messages while equipping participants with skills and understanding of the medical school application process. The goal was to increase URM representation in osteopathic medical schools to increase diversity in osteopathic medicine and provide holistic patient care. From 2018-2021, there were a total of 111 participants selected into the DREAM program based on a holistic review including URM pre-medical student status. Only participants who took part in the program were invited to complete the survey study voluntarily. Qualtrics was used to distribute the survey and collect data. Participants were surveyed before and after the program to measure the impact the program had on their interest and barriers in pursuing medical school; surveys were also used to gain insight into URM’s perspective on their own healthcare experiences in the U.S. Participants were given a follow-up survey each consecutive year after their participation to determine if they matriculated to medical school. A Mann-Whitney U test and independent samples t-test were used for statistical analyses. Data Analysis/Results: From 2018-2021, the survey response rate was 76.6% for pre-survey and 72.1% for post-survey. From 2018-2021, 83.5% of respondents felt that physicians of their race/ethnicity are not well-represented in the US and felt a physician of the same race/ethnicity providing their care could be more empathetic towards them than a physician of a different race/ethnicity. Respondents from the 2021 cohort reported 15 out of 18 perceived barriers in the path to medical school were addressed by the program. From 2019-2021, there was a statistically significant increase (all p-values <0.05) when comparing pre- and post-program Likert responses for understanding of the following: medical school application process, what a physician does, difference between an allopathic and osteopathic physician, what being a pre-clinical and clinical medical student entails, and the residency application process. Conclusion: The DREAM program for URM pre-medical students continues to successfully address perceived barriers in pursuing a medical education as well as an understanding of medical school and a career as a physician. Limitations of the study include potential for response bias due to self-reported nature of survey and accuracy of reported medical school matriculation rate after DREAM program due to lack of follow-up survey response and/or participants are in early stages of pre-medical pathway. Future directions include tracking participants over the next five years on medical school matriculation status to determine the long-term efficacy of the program and continue to expand the DREAM program to include participants in other geographical areas and improve workshops to address all perceived barriers.


Search results      

 
 
 






  • ImpressumLegal noticeDatenschutz


ostlib.de/data_ckmrwhgpxdfbjnzeatuy



Supported by

OSTLIB recommends