Impact of doctor for a day programming on K-12 underrepresented students’ perceived self-efficacy and interest in healthcare careers

The percentage of medical school applicants who identify as Black/African American, Native American/Alaska Native, or Hispanic is significantly lower than the representation of these groups in the US population and is, combined, less than 15%. Underrepresented minority (URM) youth face many barriers contributing to this disparity, including limited exposure to health careers, lack of concordant mentors, and lack of academic preparation. Doctor For A Day (DFAD) aims to create a parallel plane for education and mentorship for URM students. DFAD partners with community organizations across the greater Seattle area to host monthly workshops.