Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: Preparation, Pipeline, Partnerships

Increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the nation’s health professions workforce has many advantages: workforce that more accurate represents US population; minority health professionals are more likely to work in medically underserved areas; and as a strategy toward eliminating healthcare disparities. The goals of this initiative, Clinical Summer Research Fellowship (CSRF) are: expose developing scientists from underrepresented communities to health disparities through clinical, community and research experiences and offer substantive products to our community partners.

Over seven weeks, CSRF introduces undergraduates to principles of clinical medicine, cultural competency, racial and ethnic health disparities and research skills. Participants shadow physicians at clinical sites located in underserved areas and work with community organizations to conduct research. Since 2008, CSRF has grown from 4 to 10 students each summer.

Evaluations consistently demonstrate students’ increased knowledge (100%), improved research skills (95%) and desire to continue addressing health disparities in their professional careers (95%). The community organizations’ assessments of the students have been extremely positive (100% requested another intern) as is their assessment of the students’ ongoing contributions (90% will continue to utilize the work completed by the student). To illustrate one digital presentation developed by CSRF students has been shown statewide as part of ACA enrollment efforts. Finally, some students continue to volunteer at these associations even after they returned to college.

As a tool to increase health disparities knowledge, enhance research skills, think critically about solutions, and offer significant contributions to the community, CSRF has been successful and can be easily replicated.