A Pilot Program: Remote Summer Program to Improve Opportunity and Mentorship Among Underrepresented Students Pursuing...

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedic Surgery
• Medical Education
• Health Equity

Background:

• Underrepresented minority (URM) students face barriers in pursuing orthopaedic surgery.
• Targeted programs are needed to enhance diversity and inclusion in the field.
• Remote learning offers a flexible approach to mentorship and training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of an 8-week remote summer program.
• To support underrepresented students interested in orthopaedic surgery.
• To evaluate improvements in research skills, interest, and networking.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 17 underrepresented students participated in the remote program.
• The curriculum included instructional courses, faculty lectures, and research experiences with mentors.
• Pre/post-program surveys and feedback forms measured skill progression and satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Participants reported high satisfaction with mentorship (93%) and realistic project deliverables (80%).
• Students showed significant improvements: research skills (9.6/10), orthopaedic interest (8.9/10), and mentorship/networking (9.1/10).
• 87% of participants co-authored an abstract or manuscript.

Conclusions:

• The remote program effectively enhanced research skills, interest, and confidence in orthopaedic surgery among underrepresented students.
• The findings support the program's potential to foster an equitable pathway into orthopaedic surgery.
• Improving accessibility to quality mentorship is crucial for diversifying the field.