A Sense of Belonging: Perceptions of the Medical School Learning Environment among URM and Non-URM Students

Using Gruppen et al's model, this study investigated experiences of the LE from the perspectives of both URM and non-URM students at a medical school in New York City. In examining experiences of the organizational, social, and physical domains of the LE, we sought to explore the symbolic and experiential links across domains and identify concrete needs for improvement.

Institutional structures and policies, features of the built environment, and social relationships that put learning first and generated a sense of community were highly valued. Although both URM and non-URM students shared many perceptions and experiences, URM students expressed heightened vulnerability to the experiences of devaluation and exclusion.

All participants in the study greatly appreciated aspects of the LE that made them feel like valued members of the community. Medical schools should approach the task of improving the LE for URM students using a comprehensive, multi-dimensional approach.