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Healthcare Camp for High School Students Enhances the Understanding of Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine, Identifying Implicit Bias, and Recognizing Social Determinants of Health
Flanagan, M. K. [1]
Liu, E. L. [1]
Neff, A. R. [1]
Klink, A. M. [1]
Kruse, K. M. [1]
Vroegop, J. M. [1]
Orr, A. L. [1]
Skinner, B. W. [1]
Hum, J. M. [3]

Journal: Journal of Osteopathic Medicine Date: 2023/12, 123(12):Pages: A120-A121. doi: Subito , type of study: cross sectional study

Full text    (https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/jom-2023-2000/html)

Keywords:

cross sectional study [597]
osteopathic medicine [1540]
USA [1086]

Abstract:

Statement of Significance: Efforts to reduce health disparities and increase access to underserved populations may be outpaced as populations diversify further. An understanding of diversity that addresses social determinants of health can influence health outcomes. Early exposure of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) initiatives within healthcare to high school students may improve perceptions of attainability as well as an understanding of equitable representation in healthcare. To develop a more diverse population in healthcare, Marian University hosted a 5-day camp at the College of Osteopathic Medicine (MU-COM) for high school students to learn about a spectrum of health professions, with emphases on osteopathic principles and DEIAB-related health topics. The objective was to expose students to the importance of defining implicit bias and understanding social determinants of health, and the role these play in patient care and health outcomes. Research Methods: The objectives for this project were assessed using two voluntary, anonymous and confidential surveys, one given at the beginning of camp and the second given at the end. Of the 73 total campers, 67 completed the pre-survey and 63 of those responses were matched to post-survey responses. Matching was completed using a specific code created by each camper. The pre-survey collected demographic information, as well as an identification of the presence of a healthcare worker within their immediate family. Participants were given opportunities to elaborate on their race and/or gender identity to acknowledge self-reported identities. On both the pre- and post-surveys, participants were asked to list as many healthcare careers as they could. They were also asked to complete a Likert-scale question that included statements about desire for and attainability of a career in healthcare, understanding of osteopathic philosophy and differences/similarities between MD/DO physicians, knowledge of specific conditions covered during the camp, and comfort level with the idea of implicit bias and the conversations surrounding biases in a healthcare setting. During camp, campers rotated through activities that encompassed the topics surveyed, including exposure to Anatomage and virtual reality, skills lab and simulated patient encounter activities, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine techniques, social determinants of health and implicit bias training, as well as small groups about disparities in health and the importance of a healthcare team. Following completion of the camp, age-matched control data was collected from a group of high school students that attended Marian University’s engineering camp using the same pre-survey as the healthcare campers. After all data was collected, pre- and post-responses were matched, and statistical analyses were performed including a Wilcoxan Signed-Rank test to compare pre-survey and post-survey responses for the Likert-scale statements. Data Analysis: In total, 86.3% of survey responses were able to be matched and were further separated by age, gender and race. Twenty-two campers identified as cisgender males (34.9%), thirty-seven as cisgender females (58.7%), one as non-binary/third gender (1.6%), and three preferred not to answer (4.8%). In August 2023, 1.6% of participants will be entering 9th grade, 17.5% will be entering 10th grade, 34.9% will be entering 11th grade, 44.4% will be entering 12th grade, and 1.6% will be starting college. Of these participants, 12.7% identify themselves as Black or African American, 41.3% as White or Caucasian, 11.1% as of Hispanic, Latin or Spanish origin, 22.2% as Asian, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander, 9.52% as Bi-/Multi-Racial, and 3.17% who preferred not to say. In the pre-survey, campers listed an average of 6.67 careers in healthcare whereas in the post-survey following completion of camp, an average of 14.48 careers were listed (p<0.0001). It was also noted that the careers listed in the post-survey were more specific than the careers listed in the pre-survey. There were statistically significant (p<0.0001) increases in responses to the following Likert scale statements, “I feel comfortable explaining what osteopathic medicine is.” (2.57 pre-average, 4.17 post-average), “I understand the SIMILARITIES/DIFFERENCES between osteopathic (DO) and allopathic (MD) medicine/philosophy.” (2.42/4.08 for similarities, 2.46/4.10 for differences), “I know what implicit bias is.” (3.17/4.46), and “I feel comfortable having conversations about implicit bias with people who identify differently than I do.” (3.42/4.25). All of the averages for the control data of engineering students were lower than for the healthcare camp students in the pre-survey (1.69, 1.23/1.23, 2.92, 3.00, respectively). Overall, students demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of osteopathic philosophy, implicit bias and social determinants of health that will serve them throughout their careers. Conclusion: Overall, campers at the healthcare camp demonstrated an enhanced understanding of osteopathic philosophy, implicit bias and social determinants of health compared to age-matched control campers. Bolstering opportunities for high school students to be exposed to the diverse range of careers in healthcare and fostering DEIAB values along the way will serve the future of our healthcare system well.

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