Building a Physician-Scientist Pathway for Underrepresented Medical Students Through a Summer Research Experience

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Physician-Scientist Training
• Diversity in Medicine

Background:

• Physician-scientists are crucial for medical advancement, yet representation from underrepresented in medicine (URiM) groups remains low.
• Initiatives are needed to foster early interest and provide pathways for URiM students into research-intensive medical careers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the Summer Underrepresented in Medicine Medical Student Research program.
• To assess student satisfaction, perceived skill acquisition, and long-term career impact.

Main Methods:

• A nationwide outreach strategy identified and recruited URiM medical students between their first and second years.
• An 8-week onsite program provided research mentorship, clinical exposure, and a curriculum on academic medicine.
• Program adjustments were made during 2020-2021 to accommodate the COVID-19 pandemic, including virtual components.

Main Results:

• The program received 298 applications, with 128 students participating between 2019-2023.
• Postprogram surveys indicated high student satisfaction, with participants strongly agreeing that the program met expectations and provided valuable skills.
• The 2019 cohort achieved a 100% residency match rate, and 33% pursued further degrees or research.

Conclusions:

• The Summer Underrepresented in Medicine Medical Student Research program is an effective model for engaging URiM students in physician-scientist training.
• Future directions include refining applicant selection, expanding mentorship, establishing earlier pipeline programs, and securing federal funding for scalability.