Text "HEALER": Using Text Mentorship to Engage American Indians and Alaska Natives Interested in the Health Professions.

Abstract

ProblemThe persistent underrepresentation of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) in the health professions and the decline of AIAN matriculants into health-related programs suggest interventions are needed. The authors developed Healers, a text message mentoring service, to engage and support AIANs interested in the health professions.ApproachHealers, launched in 2018, seeks to reach urban and rural high school/college-aged AIANs and other AIANs. Individuals subscribe by texting "HEALER" to a numeric code using their mobile device. Two concurrent intervention strategies include: (1) a 17-week schedule of scripted texts and (2) live weekly office hours with 2 health pathway coaches. During the pilot year (June 2018-June 2019), participants were recruited via national conferences, health fairs, social media, and word of mouth. Intake and exit surveys were conducted. Content analysis of text messages received during office hours was conducted.OutcomesDuring the pilot, 304 subscribers opted into Healers and generated 2,933 text messages. Intake survey respondents included high school students (n = 18/77, 23.4%), college students (n = 29/77, 37.7%), and others (n = 29/77, 37.7%). They represented 60 Tribes from 28 U.S. states. Among exit survey respondents, 26/28 (92.9%) reported Healers was useful, 25/27 (92.6%) reported it exposed them to new health professions, 26/27 (96.3%) expressed stories from AIAN health professionals were valuable, and 25/26 (96.2%) reported pursuing a health professions career seemed possible. Five themes emerged from the analysis of the 346 participant texts received during office hours: cultural support, mentorship, opportunities, wellness, and community building.