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Creating an Undergraduate Research Program in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (Oto-HNS) for Students Underrepresented in Medicine

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Abstract

Objectives

To report implementation and outcomes associated with a novel paid Summer Undergraduate Research Education Program (SREP) over the first 2 years in an academic otolaryngology program recruiting students underrepresented in medicine (URiM).

Methods

A 10-week program including a research bootcamp, curriculum, mentoring, and clinical shadowing was created. Grant funding to provide salary and support for transportation, conference attendance, and graduate school preparation or applications was procured. Primary objectives included (1) development of successful mentorship relationships; (2) increasing student-reported outcomes using pre- and post-program surveys to assess confidence, career planning, and overall satisfaction; (3) increasing exposure to medicine; (4) completion of an oral presentation; and (5) submission of a manuscript. Secondary objectives included abstract submission and completion of a graduate exam course or graduate school applications. Tertiary objectives included conference attendance and graduate school matriculation.

Results

One hundred thirty-five total applications were reviewed (89 from year 1 and 46 from year 2). Twelve students were interviewed for 3 spots in year 1, while 11 students were interviewed for 6 spots in year 2 (median application score, 9.25 (range, 1–14); median interview score, 8.7 (range, 5.4–10); acceptance rate, 6.7% (9/135)). Students met all primary objectives. Mean program survey scores increased from 3.8 to 4.77 (p < 0.0001). Eight of nine students submitted an abstract to a national conference, with five of eight students accepted for a presentation. Two students were accepted into graduate school, while five others are on track for graduate school application.

Conclusion

Identifying mentors, curriculum, and opportunities to meaningfully strengthen graduate school applications for URiM students through a clinically rigorous, financially supported, and research-focused summer program in an academic otolaryngology program is feasible and may be an effective means of increasing diversity in medicine and otolaryngology.

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Data Availability

The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. The pre- and post-survey scores with analysis is listed as a supplementary document. The analysis of the students is available, but is protected information to keep the identity of the students anonymous, but is available upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We are appreciative that funding for the student program was provided through a grant from the Intuitive Foundation (INT-303018). We are also appreciative of the non-profit organization, “Whyyou.org,” for their help with longitudinal student mentorship.

Funding

Internal departmental funding was utilized without commercial sponsorship or support for this research.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55904, USA

    Dontre’ M. Douse, Patricia Timothee, Jessica M. O’Neill, Linda X. Yin, Janalee K. Stokken, Diana M. Orbelo, Semirra L. Bayan, Daniel L. Price, Carlos D. Pinheiro-Neto, Matthew L. Carlson, Joshua P. Wiedermann, Eric J. Moore & Kathryn M. Van Abel

  2. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Eseosa T. Ighodaro

  3. University of Minnesota, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Jenny J. Casper

  4. Robert D. and Patricia E. Kern Center for the Science of Health Care Delivery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Renaldo C. Blocker

  5. The “Why You?” Initiative, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, USA

    Renaldo C. Blocker

Authors
  1. Dontre’ M. Douse
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study design. Dr. Kathryn M. Van Abel, Dr. Linda X. Yin, Dr. Eseosa T. Ighodaro, Dr. Renaldo C. Blocker, and Dr. Dontre’ M. Douse contributed to the study conception. Material preparation, data collection, and analysis were performed by Ms. Jessica M. O’Neill, Ms. Jenny J. Casper, and Dr. Patricia Timothee. The first draft was written by Dr. Dontre’ M. Douse and Dr. Patricia Timothee, and all authors commented or made edits on previous versions of the manuscript. Dr. Janalee K. Stokken, Dr. Diana M. Orbelo, Dr. Semirra L. Bayan, Dr. Daniel L. Price, Dr. Carlos D. Pinheiro-Neto, Dr. Matthew L. Carlson, Dr. Joshua P. Wiedermann, Dr. Eric J. Moore, and Dr. Renaldo C. Blocker provided additional mentorship, can be credited for data acquisition, and provided edits/suggestions to the final manuscript. Funding acquisition was performed by Dr. Kathryn M. Van Abel. All authors read and approved of the final manuscript with Dr. Kathryn M. Van Abel and Dr. Renaldo C. Blocker as equal Principle Investigators.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kathryn M. Van Abel.

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Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained (IRB#: 21–003987). Institutional Education Research Committee approval was obtained as well.

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Douse, D.M., Timothee, P., O’Neill, J.M. et al. Creating an Undergraduate Research Program in Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery (Oto-HNS) for Students Underrepresented in Medicine. Med.Sci.Educ. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-024-02021-z

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