Bridging the Medical Pipeline

Healthcare professions are faced with a problem, a shortage of underrepresented minorities (URM) who resemble the racial, ethnic, and gender structure of the community that they will one day serve. Further impacting this problem is the fact that fewer URMs are entering medical schools. Pipeline programs have been identified as one possible solution to increasing URM matriculation into medicals schools. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of one medical pipeline program, the Florida State University College of Medicine's Bridge to Clinical Medicine Program, in attaining student goals. Building on existing research about pipeline programs, the research asked about the pre-medical school characteristics of Bridge Program students, their academic outcomes, and perceptions about the program. Based on a review of pipeline program literature, an online survey was developed and distributed to all former Bridge Program students, approximately 150 students. Student academic data was obtained to include all 18 years of the Bridge Program to compare student performance. An analysis of the data and survey responses indicated the Bridge Program is meeting the student focused short and intermediate goals. Long-term goals were not addressed due to the small number of Bridge students that have graduated the program, medical school, and completed residency programs. Data and survey responses provided a better understanding of how Bridge students compared to other students admitted directly into the medical school program. Survey responses offered former Bridge student perceptions about their experiences and impact of the program. Based on the findings, the main recommendations include enhancement of existing mentoring and research activities, more high-stakes examination preparations, moving to a pass/fail grading system, as well as making the Bridge Program more visible through publicity, recognition, and additional research. Overall, the Bridge Program has met the student focused goals and could benefit from enhancements to current activities and continued research.