Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) medical students \u2013 an examination of their journey and experiences as medical students in limbo

Christina Gillezeau,Naomi Alpert,Emanuela Taioli,Rebecca M Schwartz,Julio Ramos,Raja Flores,Kristin Bevilacqua,Wil Lieberman-Cribbin

doi:10.1186/s12909-021-02787-5

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough the value of DACA medical students has been hypothesized, no data are available on their contribution to US healthcare. While the exact number of DACA recipients in medical school is unknown, DACA medical students are projected to represent an increasing proportion of physicians in the future. The current literature on DACA students has not analyzed the experiences of these students.MethodsA mixed-methods study on the career intentions and experiences of DACA medical students was performed utilizing survey data and in-depth interviews. The academic performance of a convenience sample of DACA medical students was compared to that of matriculated medical students from corresponding medical schools, national averages, and first-year residents according to specialty.ResultsThirty-three DACA medical students completed the survey and five participated in a qualitative interview. The average undergraduate GPA (SD) of the DACA medical student sample was 3.7 (0.3), the same as the national GPA of 2017–2018 matriculated medical students. The most common intended residency programs were Internal Medicine (27.2%), Emergency Medicine (15.2%), and Family Medicine (9.1%). In interviews, DACA students discussed their motivation for pursuing medicine, barriers and facilitators that they faced in attending medical school, their experiences as medical students, and their future plans.ConclusionsThe intent of this sample to pursue medical specialties in which there is a growing need further exemplifies the unique value of these students. It is vital to protect the status of DACA recipients and realize the contributions that DACA physicians provide to US healthcare.

Highlights

The value of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) medical students has been hypothesized, no data are available on their contribution to United States (US) healthcare
As this ruling does not prevent against future policy regarding DACA, the status of these DACA recipients living in the United States remains in limbo
Thirty-three DACA medical students completed the survey and their data were included in the quantitative analysis

Summary

Introduction

The value of DACA medical students has been hypothesized, no data are available on their contribution to US healthcare. The policy, known as the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), offers a path forward for eligible undocumented young people brought to the United States as children to remain in the country, receive work authorization, and participate in the Social Security Program. In June 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled on this matter and rejected the effort to deconstruct and abolish the DACA program. As this ruling does not prevent against future policy regarding DACA, the status of these DACA recipients living in the United States remains in limbo. DACA recipients may remain vulnerable to policy changes in future administrations

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion