The purpose of this proposed quantitative, ex post facto, comparative study with a pretest-posttest design was to assess gains in overall Critical Thinking (CT) skills, and particularly in the Hypothetical-deductive Reasoning (HDR) skills, for pre-health college students tested before and after a Critical Analyses in Science course they attended…

This quantitative study examines the outcomes of the Pre-Matriculation program at the University of Kansas Medical Center's School of Medicine, a pipeline initiative designed to equip students from historically underrepresented groups in medicine (HURM) with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in medical school. A student is considered…

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore pre-medical advisors' perceptions on their role in the pathway to medicine for students historically underrepresented in medicine (URiM) and to gain insight into barriers these students face. While a small amount of research exists on the perspective of URiM pre-medical students on the pathway…

Although there has been an increase in initiatives and programs aimed at increasing physician diversity, the number of Black male medical school applicants, has not risen since 1978. Understanding the absence of Black males in medicine is critical considering the disproportionate preventative care and life expectancy of the Black population, which…

Undergraduate medical students run the risk of experiencing burnout throughout their training. The literature has demonstrated that strengthening emotional intelligence and understanding the authentic self has implications for well-being. This non-experimental, cross-sectional study aimed to test the relationship between emotional intelligence,…

This study examined the lived experiences of premedical advisors employed in four-year institutions of higher education in the northeastern U.S. advising premedical students about the gap year options between undergraduate education and medical school. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews of 17 premedical advisors and analyzed…

Providing healthcare across Kansas is a primary mission of the University of Kansas School of Medicine. The University of Kansas School of Medicine established the Scholars in Rural Health program to meet the growing need of physicians in rural locations by providing a route to medical school for premedical students from rural Kansas. The early…

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) conducts annual demographic data collection for all medical school applicants and matriculants, revealing a concerning trend of underrepresentation of minority groups. Among these, the data from 2018 to 2023 showed a low underrepresentation of Latine women, with only a 3% representation among…

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that influence the decision to apply to the medical doctor program or the doctor of osteopathic medicine program. This study examined selected demographic factors that influence students' decision to apply to the medical doctorate program or the osteopathic medical program. This study consisted…

Premedical advisors (PMAs), also known as health profession advisors' (HPAs), assist students in their application preparations to professional health programs including medical, dental, nursing, and veterinary. Medical schools are charged with the evaluation of a premedical student's readiness and competencies for medical school and as a…

The early college experience is different for everyone, but most would concede that the transition to college requires students to develop new social and academic habits. This transition can be daunting, especially in light of early coursework that sets the groundwork for competitive admission to professional programs. Further, the literature…

This dissertation examined the significance of the Undergraduate Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and Excellence (USSTRIDE) community of practice (CoP) mentorship program offered at Florida State University College of Medicine and its profound impact on first-generation, rural, and economically disadvantaged undergraduate student…

In the United States, there is a disproportionately low number of Black physicians in comparison to the demographic composition of Black people in the nation. This underrepresentation gap is result of historic systemic racism that led to Black people being abused and left out of healthcare and medical education. Despite improvement in healthcare…

Undergraduate premedical students are increasingly traveling to developing nations as a way to combine an interest in service, travel, and career exploration. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis is to understand the developmental and admissions impact of international medical service trips on the students who participate.…

The lack of diversity among current licensed physicians is mirrored in the race/ethnicity of current medical students across the nation. In 2017-2018, there were a total of 89,904 medical students enrolled in U.S. medical schools, with 7% of those medical students who identified as African American (AAMC, 2019). This narrative qualitative study…