Effectiveness of a National Virtual Premedical Conference to Support Underrepresented Minorities with a Focus on Hispanic/Latinx Attendees

Background Ensuring a physician workforce that reflects the growing diversity of the United States has important public health implications. Despite increased recruitment efforts, the proportion of medical students and faculty from minority backgrounds, including Hispanic and Latinx, remains low. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a virtual national pre-medical conference in reaching a diverse population and increasing attendees’ interest, confidence, and knowledge in a career in medicine with a focus on Hispanic/Latinx attendees. Methods A pre-medical conference was held in 2022, aimed at combating barriers faced by underrepresented minorities applying to medical school. Quantitative feedback was collected through an online survey distributed through email to registrants pre-conference and through a QR code and email to attendees post-conference. Results A total of 1,040 students across the nation registered for the conference. 648 (62.3%) of registered students completed the pre-conference survey and 211 attendees completed the post-conference survey. Most registered students self-identified as disadvantaged and female. Registrants were overrepresented in Black and Hispanic groups compared to 2021-2022 medical school applicants. 37% of registrants identified as being of Hispanic or Latinx origin. The conference increased attendees’ interest, confidence, and knowledge in a career in medicine. Attendees self-identifying as Hispanic or Latinx had similar results to the whole group of attendees but reported lower confidence in their own ability to complete premedical requirements, fewer advisors and peers to provide support, and higher interest in serving medically underserved areas and becoming primary care physicians. Conclusions Pre-medical conferences can combat significant barriers felt by minority populations applying to medical school. Providing a virtual space for mentorship and community through conferences could help diversify the physician workforce. The SUMMA conference demonstrates that creating a virtual community, sharing solutions to barriers, and providing mentorship and education to underrepresented groups, such as Hispanic and Latinx premedical students, can increase a sense of belonging in medicine and increase diversity in medical education.