Mini-medical school programs are an effective tool to introduce students to osteopathic medicine.
BACKGROUND
Mini-medical school programs are designed to give participants, usually high school students, a more realistic perception of medicine and to leave students with a stronger desire to pursue a career in medicine.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if the annual High School Mini-Medical School program hosted by the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine increased interest in osteopathic medicine among high school students.


METHODS
A survey was conducted before and after the program to test the program's effectiveness.


METHODS
West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine's Clinical Education Center.


METHODS
High school students from Charleston, Fairmont, and the Greenbrier Valley in West Virginia.


METHODS
The participants attended an outreach program designed to interest them in a career in medicine and specifically osteopathic medicine.


RESULTS
Sixty-nine participants came away with an improved understanding of a physician's life and medical school after the program. There was a mean increase in positive responses for the survey items "I understand what medical school life is truly like" (P=.0066) and "I understand what life as a doctor is really like" (P=.0004). PARTICIPANTS left the program with a stronger desire to pursue a career in medicine (P<.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Mini-medical school programs are an effective tool to inspire high school students to pursue careers in medicine, including osteopathic medicine.
OMS III, 400 N Lee St, Lewisburg, WV 24901-1128. kkaye@osteo.wvsom.edu.
Kathryn E
KE
Kaye
Alyssa L
AL
Berns
Lyndsi R
LR
Cress
Andrea M
AM
Nazar
D002321:Career Choice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010021:Osteopathic Medicine / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014903:West Virginia