Workforce Pathway Development: Evaluation of an Educational Seminar to Increase Student Interest in Nuclear Medicine

Attracting more students to nuclear medicine is imperative to improving diversity and meeting growing staffing needs. In this study, we implemented a short seminar about nuclear medicine and evaluated its impact on student perceptions of the field.

We developed and presented 30-minute "Introduction to Nuclear Medicine" seminars to undergraduate college students and preclinical medical students. After the seminars, participants completed a post-pre survey to determine perceived changes to their perspective of nuclear medicine. Responses were coded on a Likert 1-5 scale with pre- and post- seminar results compared using T-test of means and analysis of variance.

Of the 83 students who attended the seminar, 79 (95.1%) students participated in the survey including 67 preclinical medical students and 12 undergraduate students. Of the 78 participants who provided demographic information, there were 38 (48.7%) women, 5 (6.4%) first-generation college students, and 39 (50.0%) people who identified as either multiracial or a race other than White/Caucasian. Among all participants (n = 79), there was a significant increase in perceived understanding of nuclear medicine (p < 0.001), confidence in ability to pursue nuclear medicine (p < 0.001), and interest in becoming a nuclear medicine professional (p < 0.001). Perceived increases in knowledge were highest among first-year medical students (p = 0.031), while interest (p = 0.40) and confidence (p = 0.85) in pursuing nuclear medicine did not vary by educational level.

Perceptions of student interest in nuclear medicine can be improved using an easily implemented, short seminar at the undergraduate college and preclinical medical school level.