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

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Health Equity
• Workforce Development

Background:

• Diverse primary care workforces are essential for achieving health equity.
• Pathway programs support students' progression toward health professions.
• Existing programs need evidence-informed strategies for development and evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a guide for developing, implementing, and evaluating effective pathway programs.
• To support family medicine residency programs in building a diverse health care workforce.
• To offer practical, evidence-informed strategies for pathway program success.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a logic model for program development and stakeholder partnerships.
• Incorporating needs assessments to align program goals with student needs.
• Leveraging social cognitive theory to enhance learner self-efficacy and outcomes.
• Implementing systematic evaluation for long-term program sustainability.

Main Results:

• Pathway programs can accelerate students' readiness for graduate health professions programs.
• Effective programs utilize relatable role models and mastery experiences.
• Tailoring interventions to specific student needs maximizes program impact.
• The Family Medicine Bridging the Gap Pathway Program serves as a concrete example.

Conclusions:

• Pathway programs are a viable strategy for increasing workforce diversity in primary care.
• Evidence-informed planning and evaluation are crucial for pathway program effectiveness.
• These programs contribute to preparing competitive applicants and advancing health equity.