A Guide to Building K-12 Pathway Programs Within Family Medicine Residency Programs

Family medicine residency programs can implement pathway programs to grow a diverse primary care workforce capable of caring for all patients and communities. A pathway program aims to support students from selected level(s) of the educational continuum toward becoming qualified applicants to health professions programs. This guide provides an evidence-informed approach to developing, implementing, and evaluating effective pathway programs that residency programs can use to build the diverse health care workforce that is critical for health equity. First, we provide practical guidance for program development that uses a logic model and builds partnerships with schools and crucial stakeholders. Then, we discuss how to incorporate a needs assessment to align program goals with student needs. Next, we describe how to leverage social cognitive theory to maximize impact on learners and their ultimate achievement. Finally, we overview systematic evaluation to support long-term program success. Effective program planning leverages the processes through which learning occurs, influencing learners' self-efficacy and outcomes expectations through relatable role models and mastery experience. We provide concrete examples from the Family Medicine Bridging the Gap Pathway Program. Pathway program developers can accelerate students' trajectory toward health profession graduate schools by choosing interventions that serve their greatest needs, thus preparing competitive applicants able to progress to the next educational level.