Does financial support for medical students from low income families make a difference? A qualitative evaluation
Abstract Background The 2015–2020 strategic plan from the Office for Fair Access calls on institutions to provide contemporary assessments of the impact of their financial support for disadvantaged students on retention, progression, success, wellbeing and participation, throughout the student lifec...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2019-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-019-1573-3 |
| _version_ | 1818791573210529792 |
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| author | Hugh Claridge Michael Ussher |
| author_facet | Hugh Claridge Michael Ussher |
| author_sort | Hugh Claridge |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background The 2015–2020 strategic plan from the Office for Fair Access calls on institutions to provide contemporary assessments of the impact of their financial support for disadvantaged students on retention, progression, success, wellbeing and participation, throughout the student lifecycle. In response to this call, this article describes the first evaluation the authors are aware of, of a financial support scheme for students from lower income backgrounds attending a medical school. Methods A qualitative study of a bursary scheme for undergraduate medical students was undertaken at a university in London, England. One-to-one, audio-recorded interviews were conducted, transcribed and thematically analysed in order to ascertain eight recipients’ experiences of receiving the bursary and its influence on their financial situation, academic studies and quality of life. Results The data were best explained by five main themes: impact of the bursary, communication, financial management, support preferences, and administration of the bursary. Conclusions The participants, who were in receipt of various bursary amounts, generally regarded it as a good scheme with it providing a financial buffer and enabling them to focus on their studies and extracurricular activities rather than seek paid employment during term time. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T15:13:30Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-cb6368f3be7b42b3aa074cddbbddb529 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T15:13:30Z |
| publishDate | 2019-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-cb6368f3be7b42b3aa074cddbbddb5292022-12-21T21:03:35ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202019-05-011911810.1186/s12909-019-1573-3Does financial support for medical students from low income families make a difference? A qualitative evaluationHugh Claridge0Michael Ussher1Population Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of LondonPopulation Health Research Institute, St George’s, University of LondonAbstract Background The 2015–2020 strategic plan from the Office for Fair Access calls on institutions to provide contemporary assessments of the impact of their financial support for disadvantaged students on retention, progression, success, wellbeing and participation, throughout the student lifecycle. In response to this call, this article describes the first evaluation the authors are aware of, of a financial support scheme for students from lower income backgrounds attending a medical school. Methods A qualitative study of a bursary scheme for undergraduate medical students was undertaken at a university in London, England. One-to-one, audio-recorded interviews were conducted, transcribed and thematically analysed in order to ascertain eight recipients’ experiences of receiving the bursary and its influence on their financial situation, academic studies and quality of life. Results The data were best explained by five main themes: impact of the bursary, communication, financial management, support preferences, and administration of the bursary. Conclusions The participants, who were in receipt of various bursary amounts, generally regarded it as a good scheme with it providing a financial buffer and enabling them to focus on their studies and extracurricular activities rather than seek paid employment during term time.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-019-1573-3Financial supportBursaryUndergraduate medical studentUniversityQualitative research |
| spellingShingle | Hugh Claridge Michael Ussher Does financial support for medical students from low income families make a difference? A qualitative evaluation BMC Medical Education Financial support Bursary Undergraduate medical student University Qualitative research |
| title | Does financial support for medical students from low income families make a difference? A qualitative evaluation |
| title_full | Does financial support for medical students from low income families make a difference? A qualitative evaluation |
| title_fullStr | Does financial support for medical students from low income families make a difference? A qualitative evaluation |
| title_full_unstemmed | Does financial support for medical students from low income families make a difference? A qualitative evaluation |
| title_short | Does financial support for medical students from low income families make a difference? A qualitative evaluation |
| title_sort | does financial support for medical students from low income families make a difference a qualitative evaluation |
| topic | Financial support Bursary Undergraduate medical student University Qualitative research |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12909-019-1573-3 |
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