Medical Students at Risk: Practical Lessons after 10 years of a Premedical Enrichment Program

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Student Preparedness
• Academic Enrichment Programs

Background:

• Evaluating the effectiveness of post-baccalaureate programs for medical school preparation.
• Assessing the transferability of premedical enrichment program components to the medical curriculum.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if the Premedical Enrichment Program (PrEP) effectively matriculated well-prepared, educationally disadvantaged students into medical school.
• To identify the most valued aspects of the PrEP by its student participants.

Main Methods:

• Matched 61 PrEP participants with non-participants based on demographics and academic metrics.
• Compared Step 1 performance and overall academic outcomes between groups.
• Utilized online surveys to gather student feedback on program effectiveness and preparedness.

Main Results:

• PrEP students achieved academic outcomes comparable to their matched peers, despite the comparison group having higher initial MCAT scores and GPAs.
• Participants highly valued the program's emphasis on building strong relationships for study partnerships and emotional support.
• Students reported enhanced biochemistry knowledge, improved study skills, and familiarity with medical school processes.

Conclusions:

• The social learning environment and strong relationships are crucial for medical school success and student confidence.
• Premedical enrichment programs can significantly bolster academic preparedness and professional identity development for disadvantaged students.
• Building trust and supportive relationships with faculty and peers is vital for the success of educationally disadvantaged students in medical school.