Shifting the Tide: Innovative Strategies to Develop an American Indian/Alaska Native Physician Workforce

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Workforce Diversity
• Health Equity

Background:

• Despite efforts, American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) physician numbers and faculty representation remain critically low (0.1%).
• AI/AN individuals are disproportionately underrepresented in medical school matriculation, graduation, and faculty advancement, particularly at senior ranks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the persistent underrepresentation of American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) in the US physician workforce.
• To implement and evaluate innovative programs designed to recruit, train, and support AI/AN youth, medical students, and faculty.

Main Methods:

• Piloted three NNACoE programs: Tribal Health Scholars (youth shadowing), Wy'East Post-baccalaureate Pathway (pre-med curriculum), and Indigenous Faculty Forum (faculty development).
• Systematic evaluation of pilot program outcomes to assess effectiveness in supporting AI/AN individuals in medicine.

Main Results:

• All Tribal Health Scholars participants are pursuing higher education in health sciences.
• 10 AI/AN students enrolled in the Wy'East Post-baccalaureate Pathway.
• 63 Indigenous medical faculty engaged in professional development through the Indigenous Faculty Forum.

Conclusions:

• NNACoE's innovative programs demonstrate positive initial outcomes in engaging and supporting AI/AN individuals in medicine.
• Further systematic evaluation is crucial to optimize strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining AI/ANs in the physician workforce.