INCREASING DIVERSITY AND REPRESENTATION OF UNDERREPRESENTED IN MEDICINE STUDENTS USING PATHWAYS PROGRAM

Abstract

The lack of diversity in medicine is a long-standing issue for US medical schools who have yet to make serious progress. Students who identify as Black, Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander are considered Underrepresented in Medicine (URM) are those historically obstructed from entering medical school. There remain high costs to apply, enter, and stay in medical school. Additionally, the faculty who teach these students are more likely to be white and URM faculty are more likely to leave due to racism, discrimination, and the “minority tax” they experience too often. The effects of racism and discrimination combined with the lack of support negatively affect both URM students' and faculties’ mental health, which makes staying in medicine even more challenging. Many solutions have been proposed. Specifically, Pathways programs allow medical students to become involved and work hand-in-hand with their local colleges and medical schools by becoming mentors, establishing safe spaces, and disseminating advice and free resources. Although the evidence is anecdotal, Pathways programs show promise in creating solutions for URM students, this is exemplified by student testimonials. If medical institutions continue to fail to address the lack of diversity, their students can step up and create Pathways programs to fill the gaps they cannot seem to find.