Accepted Type
Dedicated Poster
Code
LP3 - 05
Acceptance Declaration
Accept
Additional Information
I declare I have no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this program.
Was this work accepted for CCME 2020?
no
Category
General Call (Workshop, Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation)
Type
Poster
Sub Type
Education Research
Will the presenter be a:
Student
Affiliation
Title
Understanding the perspectives of Indigenous medical students as they approach opportunities for postgraduate medical training
Length of Presentation
Background/Purpose
Indigenous Peoples are underrepresented in Euro-Canadian medicine. In an effort to address the need for substantive equality in postgraduate training, the University of Alberta Ob/Gyn residency program has developed an Indigenous Admissions Pathway (IAP). The objective of this study is to understand the postgraduate training goals of Indigenous medical students.
Methods
Self-identified Indigenous students currently enrolled in a Canadian medical school were invited to participate in an electronic survey. Analysis included descriptive statistics and a thematic analysis of open-ended questions.
Results
Thirty-six participants responded to the survey. Family medicine (66.7%), internal medicine (44.4%), and Ob/Gyn (38.9%) are the most common intended specialties. Factors that would influence trainee choice of specialty include personal interest, work-life balance, and community need. Trainees identified mentorship from Indigenous physicians, community engagement, and Indigenous Health electives as important complements to an IAP. Participants were asked to describe factors which would influence their choice to apply through an IAP and eight themes were identified. All participants thought that an IAP would have a positive impact on health care for Indigenous patients.
Conclusion
This study supports the ongoing use of the Ob/Gyn IAP. It highlights the goals and priorities of Indigenous students and provides direction for medical educators. An IAP must be accompanied by a robust program of Indigenous professional development and other effective, community driven initiatives to decolonize postgraduate medical education. This study will be used to improve the IAP with the ultimate goal of increasing Indigenous representation in Ob/Gyn and improving access to culturally safe care for Indigenous women.
Keyword 1
Indigenous
Keyword 2
postgraduate
Keyword 3
equitable access
Level of Training
Post Graduate
Abstract Themes
Postgraduate
Additional Theme (First choice)
Admissions
Additional Theme (Second Choice)
Additional Theme (Third Choice)
Authors
Presenter
Brittany Schroeder
Term 1
Yes
Term 2
Yes
Term 3
Yes
Term 4
Yes
Term 5
Yes
