title: The significance of recruiting underrepresented minorities in medicine: an examination of the need for effective approaches used in admissions by higher education institutions.
abstract: The purpose of this paper is to examine the significance of recruiting underrepresented minorities in medicine (URM). This would include African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans. The research findings support the belief that URMs, upon graduating, are more likely to become practitioners in underserved communities, thereby becoming a resource that prompts us to find effective ways to help increase their college enrollments statewide. This paper analyzes the recruitment challenges for institutions, followed by a review of creative and effective approaches used by organizations and universities. The results have shown positive outcomes averaging a 50% increase in minority enrollments and retention. In other areas, such as cognitive development, modest gains were achieved in programs that were shorter in duration. The results nevertheless indicated steps in the right direction inspiring further program developments.
authors.affiliation: Stony Brook University Graduate Alumni, Stony Brook, NY, USA; obed.figueroa@stonybrook.edu.
authors.forename: Obed
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Figueroa
mesh_terms: D008913:Minority Groups; D016730:Program Development; D012570:School Admission Criteria; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013337:Students, Medical; D014481:United States; D000078329:Workforce
keywords: diversity; medical education; minority recruitment; underrepresented in medicine