Bridging the Gap - Early Community Outreach as an Initiative to Increase Representation in Radiology

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging and Radiology
• Medical Education
• Health Equity

Background:

• Minority underrepresentation is a growing concern in radiology.
• Early educational interventions can help reduce disparities.
• Community outreach is crucial for diversifying the field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a radiology educational program for high school students.
• To create a mentorship pipeline for radiology education.
• To increase community outreach and improve minority representation.

Main Methods:

• Yearly cohorts of high school students attended on-site educational events with hands-on workshops.
• Surveys were used to collect student feedback and assess understanding and interest.
• Longitudinal mentorship was established for ongoing career guidance.

Main Results:

• The program received high scores for clarity and increased student awareness of radiology opportunities.
• Interactive sessions and hands-on activities were highlighted as positive elements.
• One student enrolled in a radiography program, and five participated in shadowing, with three pursuing science undergraduate degrees.

Conclusions:

• An accessible and effective approach was developed for radiology departments.
• The program aims to increase community outreach and improve minority representation.
• Early educational programming and mentorship are key to building a diverse radiology workforce.