Abstract
Purpose :
To offer early ophthalmology exposure to underrepresented minority (URM) premedical undergraduate students through clinical, research, and mentorship opportunities in an effort to increase URM trainees in the ophthalmology pipeline.
Methods :
An ophthalmology mentorship program for URM undergraduate students was launched in the spring 2021 semester and continued through the fall 2021 semester. The program offered clinical experience through virtual shadowing sessions, research opportunities, and mentorship for applying to medical school and supporting career development. Twenty-two undergraduate students (including 13 returning students from the first session) were paired with 13 mentors composed of medical students, residents, and post-doctoral fellows. As part of the Virtual Shadowing Series, 8 ophthalmology faculty hosted 1-hour sessions during which they presented patient cases and surgical videos and shared their career paths.
Results :
In a survey, respondents reported increased interest in ophthalmology (17/19, 90%), medicine (15/19, 83%), and research (13/19, 68%). Students attended an average of 3.5 (median 3) of the 8 virtual shadowing sessions offered. All respondents met with their mentor or attended a virtual shadowing session at least once, and all respondents indicated an interest in continuing to participate in the program. In addition to virtual shadowing, 3 students shadowed in the operating room for a half day, observing vitreoretinal surgery through a heads-up 3D surgery platform.
Conclusions :
A program offering mentorship, research opportunities, and virtual shadowing experiences for URM undergraduate students increased interest in ophthalmology, medicine, and research for the majority of students, and may serve as a model for other institutions.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.