Mini Med School: Knowledge and Resources for Underrepresented in Medicine Youth.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Physician demographics in North America do not yet reflect the diversity of the communities they serve, accounted to systemic barriers targeting underrepresented in medicine (URiM) groups. URiM medical graduates are more likely to pursue generalist specialties, including family medicine. Mini Med Schools (MMSs) are pathway programs intended to motivate URiM youth to pursue medicine. A gap in literature exists regarding the potential of MMSs to provide youth with useful information. We examined the extent to which youth reported a change in knowledge about medicine as a career before and after attending an MMS.

Methods: Asclepius Medical Camp for Youth is a weeklong MMS for high school students, held at one Canadian university. In 2022, 50 youth participants were invited to complete surveys and quizzes measuring their knowledge about pursuing a career in medicine.

Results: The mean self-reported knowledge differed significantly precamp (n=34, M=5.87/10, SD=1.9) versus postcamp (n=26, M=8.28/10, SD=1.4; t[35]=7.07, P<.05). Likewise, participants' scores demonstrated a significant difference in mean scores precamp (n=43, M=7.12, SD=2.39) versus postcamp (n=39, M=9.31, SD=1.13; t[42]=5.08, P<.05).

Conclusions: These findings highlight MMSs as a promising strategy to provide knowledge about medical careers beyond instilling motivation. By both inspiring and informing URiM youth, the long-term outcome of diversifying medicine may be achieved.