Improving Medical Educational Opportunities through Workforce Development and Diversity

Presenter

Mehrjot Kaur

Campus

UMass Amherst

Sponsor

Ellen Correa, Department of Civic Engagement & Service-Learning, UMass Amherst

Schedule

Session 3, 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM [Schedule by Time][Poster Grid for Time/Location]

Location

Poster Board C26, Poster Showcase Room (163), Row 3 (C21-C30) [Poster Location Map]

Abstract

Employment in healthcare must be accompanied by education and training. However, some have less access to this training and education due to barriers in social determinants, including income level, transportation accessibility, education level, and more. This is especially true for historically underrepresented communities. 

These barriers to entering the workforce are connected to reduced access and quality of care for underrepresented groups. Patients gain greater health experiences, and thus greater health outcomes, with providers who are culturally competent and understanding of their community members. Encouraging education and medical career paths in underserved communities helps to address this issue. Stronger community is developed while health outcomes benefit.

I am partnering with a federally qualified community health center in Western Massachusetts that provides entry-level medical workforce training, including that of medical and dental assistants, free of cost. They are addressing critical staffing needs, educational access, and community health in the Springfield area. I will be contributing a literature review on workforce trends for the program to utilize in their grant writing, research and training programs. I will present my findings to the organization’s staff, and they in turn may convey this information to the students in their programs. The workforce is constantly evolving, and evaluating workforce trends makes recruitment and education more relevant and effective. The goal of my project is to contribute towards this effort, and as a future physician, I hope to become more well versed in these efforts to develop a diverse and qualified healthcare workforce.

Keywords

health workforce, social determinants, access to education, health disparities, community health

Research Area

Health Policy and Management

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