Shifting the paradigm in outreach to under-represented groups

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Equity
• Diversity in STEM

Background:

• Increasing diversity in medicine is crucial for addressing the needs of diverse patient populations.
• Underrepresented groups, including Indigenous, Black, and Filipino students, and those with disabilities or economic disadvantages, often face barriers in pursuing medical careers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the Community of Support (COS) initiative, a longitudinal program designed to enhance diversity in medical research and practice.
• To outline the program's multi-faceted approach to supporting students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels.

Main Methods:

• The COS program employs a three-pronged approach: admissions information, mentorship and experiential opportunities, and application support (e.g., MCAT preparation).
• The initiative supports students across Canada at various academic stages, from undergraduate to PhD and beyond.

Main Results:

• Over three years, COS has engaged over 1,100 participants.
• The program has successfully supported over 80 students in gaining admission to medical schools.
• COS alumni are now present in 11 out of 15 Canadian medical schools and several US institutions.

Conclusions:

• The Community of Support initiative effectively promotes diversity in medicine by providing targeted support to underrepresented students.
• The program's success demonstrates the value of comprehensive, longitudinal support in increasing access to medical education and research careers.