Submission ID 77930
| Code | OA-4-6 |
|---|---|
| At the end of this workshop, participants will be able to: | |
| Category | Medical Education |
| Type | Oral |
| Will the presenter be a: | Early Career Faculty - (Less than 7 years of practice) |
| Title | : the Current Admissions Challenges of Canadian Medical Schools and Their Impacts on Indigenous Candidates |
| Background/Purpose | The 2015 Report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) challenged Canadian medical schools to increase the numbers of Indigenous health care professionals. In April 2019, the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada (AFMC) endorsed the Joint Commitment to Action on Indigenous Health in 2019 (JCAIH) Report's recommendation 7, for medical schools to work towards admitting a school-specific minimum number of First Nations, Métis and Inuit students each year. They were to do this by employing distinctions-based approaches and practicing holistic file reviews as a response to the TRC Calls to Action, to fulfill their social accountability mandates with respect to Indigenous health. |
| Methods | A scoping review of current literature, institutional web-based information and AFMC reports was conducted by a team consisting of an Indigenous and non-Indigenous medical student and an Indigenous faculty member. The team examined the current process of medical school applications for Indigenous students in Canada, as a follow-up to the 2019 JCAIH recommendation. A grey literature search of current admission requirements, interview processes and other relevant data from each Canadian medical school was performed |
| Results | Despite formal commitments to reduce barriers, Indigenous applicants to medical schools in Canada still face challenges compared to non-Indigenous applicants. Most programs use tools for admission known to disadvantage Indigenous applicants. Indigenous applicants do not have equitable access to medical school seats. Facilitated Indigenous stream processes first ensure Indigenous applicants meet minimum requirements of non-Indigenous applicants; then additional work is still required. |
| Discussion | Seven years after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission called on Canadian universities and governments to train more Indigenous health care providers, there has been limited progress to reduce the structural disadvantages Indigenous students face when applying to medical school. Based on best practices observed in Canada and coupled with relevant Indigenous focused literature, recommendations are made for multiple stakeholders. |
| Keyword 1 | Indigenous |
| Keyword 2 | Application |
| Keyword 3 | Challenges |
| Abstract content most relevant to: (check all that apply) | Undergraduate Medical Education |
| Abstract Track - First Choice | Admissions |
| Authors | Elizabeth Kliska Andrew MacLean Patricia Farrugia Patricia Farrugia |
