Promoting Physician Diversity through Medical Student Led Outreach and Pipeline Programs

Abstract

IntroductionCurrent projections anticipate a dramatic shift from historical population demographics in the United States. Racial and ethnic minorities are expected to constitute the majority of the population by 2050. However, racial minorities continue to be underrepresented in medical school admissions and the physician workforce. Creating a medical student and physician workforce that reflects population demographics of their patients will be an important determinant in promoting public health and health equity. MethodsMedical student led educational outreach programming targeting middle and high school students is one way by which current medical students can actively work to systematically address barriers to aspiring URiM medical students. ResultsOpportunities for medical students to implement meaningful educational outreach programming are limited only by personal motivation and institutional support. Implementation of these programs would provide college and medical school candidacy support for aspiring medical students while providing personal development and education benefits to medical students implementing the program. ConclusionThe authors call on medical students across the country to join in pursuit of health equity and a diverse physician workforce that reflects the evolving demographics of the United States. Medical students can impact the health of local communities through implementation of educational outreach programming to facilitate access to medical education for middle and high school students.