How Does a Learner-Driven Pre-Health Pathway Program for Underrepresented Minority Students Impact Participants?

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Equity
• Mentorship Programs

Background:

• Pre-health programs are crucial for students pursuing healthcare careers.
• Socioeconomically disadvantaged students and those underrepresented in medicine (URiM) often face unique challenges in accessing quality pre-health education and mentorship.
• Longitudinal, learner-driven mentorship models require evaluation for their impact on student development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of the Bronx Community Health Leaders (BxCHL) program on the personal and professional development of its participants.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of a longitudinal, learner-driven mentorship program for socioeconomically disadvantaged and URiM students.
• To identify specific areas of student growth, including knowledge, skills, attitudes, confidence, and community engagement.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 61 students who participated in the BxCHL program for varying durations.
• Quantitative data analysis was employed to measure changes in students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
• Qualitative data analysis identified key themes related to student-reported changes in confidence, growth, mentorship, leadership, and community impact.

Main Results:

• Quantitative assessments revealed measurable improvements in students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes relevant to health care careers.
• Qualitative findings highlighted six emergent themes: increased confidence, personal and professional growth, enhanced mentorship experiences, developed leadership skills, a stronger sense of being agents of change, and greater commitment to community service.
• The program demonstrated a positive effect on students' overall readiness to pursue health professions.

Conclusions:

• The Bronx Community Health Leaders (BxCHL) program, characterized by its student-driven design, effectively fosters personal and professional development.
• The program significantly enhances the preparedness of socioeconomically disadvantaged students and URiM students for health care professions.
• Learner-driven mentorship models show promise in addressing disparities and promoting diversity in the health care workforce.