Premedical Education Experiences of First-Generation College Graduates

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Sociology of Health
• Health Professions

Background:

• First-generation undergraduate students are underrepresented in medicine.
• They encounter significant challenges impacting their medical school applications and matriculation.
• Understanding these barriers is crucial for improving access to medical careers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the barriers and support systems for first-generation students in premedical programs.
• To analyze these factors at individual, interpersonal, and organizational levels.
• To inform strategies for enhancing medical school accessibility for underrepresented groups.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving semistructured online interviews with 48 premedical students (37 first-generation).
• Secondary analysis of premedical experiences using Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory.
• Inductive thematic analysis of interview data conducted over 7 months.

Main Results:

• Individual themes: financial instability, lack of clinical exposure.
• Interpersonal themes: limited access to advisors, mentors, and peer networks.
• Organizational themes: insufficient institutional resources and pathway programs.

Conclusions:

• First-generation students experience unique burdens from financial instability, limited social connections, and unfamiliarity with academic systems.
• Medical schools can mitigate these barriers by enhancing tailored mentorship, advising, and pathway programs.
• These improvements can reduce structural obstacles for aspiring first-generation physicians.