Physician recruitment and retention in an underserved community: the role of a premedical research program.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Physician shortages are prevalent in medically underserved areas, where healthcare disparities hinder physician recruitment and retention. The Hawai'i Pacific Health (HPH) Summer Student Research Program (SSRP) provides early clinical and research experiences to pre-med students from Hawai'i, potentially enhancing their qualifications, supporting medical school acceptance rates, and fostering commitment to practicing in Hawai'i.

Objective

To evaluate the association between SSRP participation and medical school admissions, career trajectories, and retention of healthcare professionals in Hawai'i, a medically underserved region.

Methods

A 38-year retrospective analysis examined 393 SSRP alumni (1986-2023), tracking educational and career outcomes, such as me

SUBMITTER: Johnson L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12535131 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature