Doctor for a day: the impact of a health professions enrichment program on self-efficacy.

INTRODUCTION

Health profession enrichment programs for underrepresented minority students are crucial to supporting students' interest in healthcare careers and improving preparedness for important academic and professional milestones. Doctor for a Day, an enrichment program at the University of Washington School of Medicine, hosts monthly events where underrepresented kindergarten-12th grade students are exposed to careers in medicine by healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds.

METHODS

This study investigates to what extent participation in Doctor for a Day programming improves self-efficacy using a survey study of 958 students who attended at least one Doctor for a Day event between 2017 and 2023.

RESULTS

Using an evaluation tool composed of six questions, our results demonstrate that participation in Doctor for a Day programming increases self-efficacy and interest in medicine as a career. Analysis of these results found significant differences in responses based on grade level, with students in high school demonstrating the largest improvement in self-efficacy.

DISCUSSION

These findings underscore the value of such enrichment programs and offer insights for the development of similar initiatives.