Sociodemographic disadvantage in the burden of stress and academic performance in medical school: implications for diversity in medicine
Abstract Background Nontraditional students bring to medicine inherent characteristics and perspectives that enrich the learning environment and contribute to expanding diversity in medicine. However, research has shown that these students, by virtue of their sociodemographic backgrounds, face uniqu...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05263-y |
| _version_ | 1827301114541768704 |
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| author | Danielle Eames Shelby Thomas Kaden Norman Edward Simanton Anne Weisman |
| author_facet | Danielle Eames Shelby Thomas Kaden Norman Edward Simanton Anne Weisman |
| author_sort | Danielle Eames |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Nontraditional students bring to medicine inherent characteristics and perspectives that enrich the learning environment and contribute to expanding diversity in medicine. However, research has shown that these students, by virtue of their sociodemographic backgrounds, face unique challenges in medical education, which ultimately place them at a disadvantage compared to their peers. The purpose of this study is to explore relationships between sociodemographic characteristics, stress, and academic performance, in the context of outcomes that may be undermining efforts to diversify the physician workforce. Methods Using a retrospective observational cohort methodology, we examined institutional and USMLE exam performance data in conjunction with Perceived Stress Scale-4 survey results from six cohorts of students at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV (n = 358). Using independent samples t-test, mean stress and academic performance were compared between four sociodemographic groups: first-generation college students, underrepresented in medicine (URM), socioeconomically disadvantaged, and age 30 + at matriculation. Results were considered significant where P ≤ .05. Results First-generation college students had significantly higher stress at the end of third year clerkships (mean 7.8 vs. 6.8, P* = .03). URM students had significantly lower scores on preclinical exams (mean 81.37 vs. 83.07, P* = .02). The students who were age 30 + at matriculation had significantly lower exam scores on all academic performance measures. Conclusion Our results echo historic trends in academic performance for racial and ethnic minority students, and we present recent evidence of academic performance disparities based on age at matriculation. Residency program directors continue to use test scores as a primary metric to screen applicants and thus, poor academic performance has profound consequences on career trajectory. Finally, significantly higher stress in the first-generation students may be evidence of underlying psychological distress. Expanding the sociodemographic diversity among physicians, and by extension, medical students, has long been recognized as fundamental to addressing inequities in healthcare. However, results from our study suggest that aspects of medical education are unfavorable and disadvantageous for first-generation, URM, and older medical students. A deeper understanding of the interplay between sociodemographic characteristics and success in medical school is paramount as we pursue diversity in medicine. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:16:31Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-65e72ca0a53a4ef8896af536dcfd523e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-24T16:16:31Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-65e72ca0a53a4ef8896af536dcfd523e2024-03-31T11:23:52ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202024-03-0124111510.1186/s12909-024-05263-ySociodemographic disadvantage in the burden of stress and academic performance in medical school: implications for diversity in medicineDanielle Eames0Shelby Thomas1Kaden Norman2Edward Simanton3Anne Weisman4Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLVKirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLVKirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLVKirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLVKirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLVAbstract Background Nontraditional students bring to medicine inherent characteristics and perspectives that enrich the learning environment and contribute to expanding diversity in medicine. However, research has shown that these students, by virtue of their sociodemographic backgrounds, face unique challenges in medical education, which ultimately place them at a disadvantage compared to their peers. The purpose of this study is to explore relationships between sociodemographic characteristics, stress, and academic performance, in the context of outcomes that may be undermining efforts to diversify the physician workforce. Methods Using a retrospective observational cohort methodology, we examined institutional and USMLE exam performance data in conjunction with Perceived Stress Scale-4 survey results from six cohorts of students at Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV (n = 358). Using independent samples t-test, mean stress and academic performance were compared between four sociodemographic groups: first-generation college students, underrepresented in medicine (URM), socioeconomically disadvantaged, and age 30 + at matriculation. Results were considered significant where P ≤ .05. Results First-generation college students had significantly higher stress at the end of third year clerkships (mean 7.8 vs. 6.8, P* = .03). URM students had significantly lower scores on preclinical exams (mean 81.37 vs. 83.07, P* = .02). The students who were age 30 + at matriculation had significantly lower exam scores on all academic performance measures. Conclusion Our results echo historic trends in academic performance for racial and ethnic minority students, and we present recent evidence of academic performance disparities based on age at matriculation. Residency program directors continue to use test scores as a primary metric to screen applicants and thus, poor academic performance has profound consequences on career trajectory. Finally, significantly higher stress in the first-generation students may be evidence of underlying psychological distress. Expanding the sociodemographic diversity among physicians, and by extension, medical students, has long been recognized as fundamental to addressing inequities in healthcare. However, results from our study suggest that aspects of medical education are unfavorable and disadvantageous for first-generation, URM, and older medical students. A deeper understanding of the interplay between sociodemographic characteristics and success in medical school is paramount as we pursue diversity in medicine.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05263-yNontraditionalMedical studentSociodemographicStressAcademic performanceSocioeconomic disadvantage |
| spellingShingle | Danielle Eames Shelby Thomas Kaden Norman Edward Simanton Anne Weisman Sociodemographic disadvantage in the burden of stress and academic performance in medical school: implications for diversity in medicine BMC Medical Education Nontraditional Medical student Sociodemographic Stress Academic performance Socioeconomic disadvantage |
| title | Sociodemographic disadvantage in the burden of stress and academic performance in medical school: implications for diversity in medicine |
| title_full | Sociodemographic disadvantage in the burden of stress and academic performance in medical school: implications for diversity in medicine |
| title_fullStr | Sociodemographic disadvantage in the burden of stress and academic performance in medical school: implications for diversity in medicine |
| title_full_unstemmed | Sociodemographic disadvantage in the burden of stress and academic performance in medical school: implications for diversity in medicine |
| title_short | Sociodemographic disadvantage in the burden of stress and academic performance in medical school: implications for diversity in medicine |
| title_sort | sociodemographic disadvantage in the burden of stress and academic performance in medical school implications for diversity in medicine |
| topic | Nontraditional Medical student Sociodemographic Stress Academic performance Socioeconomic disadvantage |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-05263-y |
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