Student attrition: a challenge for allied health education programs

Article Abstract:

Physicians do not provide health care by themselves. Health care results from a cooperative effort of doctors, nurses, technicians, and a wide variety of allied health care professionals. Unfortunately, the medical profession is facing a serious manpower shortage in the allied health care professions. Since 1987, the American Medical Association (AMA) has been involved in assessing this decline in manpower and encouraging medical societies and government officials to tackle the problem. The AMA's Committee on Allied Health Education and Accreditation collects data on the attrition of students in various types of educational programs. It is hoped, of course, that these data will ultimately help to increase the number of students who actually finish educational programs in the allied health fields and thereby help to ease the increasing manpower shortage in these vital areas. For the 1989-1990 academic year, the overall attrition rate for male students was 17.4 percent, higher than the 15.2 percent rate for female students. However, men were more likely to drop out of programs such as medical technologist while women were more likely to drop out of emergency medical technician and paramedic programs. The dropout rate was 25.4 percent among black students, the highest for any racial or ethnic group. Mexican-Americans had a dropout rate of 18.7 percent and the dropout rate for American Indians and native Alaskans was similar at 18.5 percent. The attrition rates among Puerto Ricans and other Hispanics were 16.3 and 15.7 percent, respectively. The lowest attrition rate was among Asians and Pacific islanders, at 13 percent. The attrition rate among non-Hispanic whites was 14 percent. Other studies have indicated that there are no racial differences in attrition rates once differing levels of academic achievement and other aspects of background experience are taken into account. Further analysis of the Committee's data are needed to evaluate these factors. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Education, Allied health personnel

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Black student enrollment in US medical schools

Article Abstract:

Blacks represent 12 percent of America's population, but only 6 percent of medical students, 5 percent of medical graduates, 5 percent of postgraduate trainees, 3 percent of practicing physicians and 2 percent of medical school faculties. Addressing the underrepresentation is not only a matter of justice, but has implications for the provision of medical care to minorities and the medically underserved. Black physicians are more likely than whites to understand the cultural and social context of illness and disability among blacks. They are also more likely to be able to communicate effectively with black patients. Black physicians are more likely to practice in areas where residents have inadequate access to medical care. One approach to addressing this underrepresentation involves activities at the precollege, college, and medical school levels.

Surveys, Recruiting, African Americans, Minority students, Minorities in medicine, Medical college applicants, Medical school applicants, African Americans in medicine

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Medical Student Financial Assistance, 1996-1997

Article Abstract:

Medical students continue to rely on loans to finance their medical education. In the 1996-97 academic year, medical students borrowed more than $1 billion. Loans accounted for 80% of all available financial aid. Eighty-three percent of the 1997 graduating class was in debt, the highest percentage in eight years. The average debt for the 1997 graduating class was $80,462 compared with $75,103 for 1996 graduates. Almost half had debts exceeding $75,000 and 63% had debts exceeding $50,000. Graduates of public schools had an average debt of $69,403, whereas graduates of private schools had an average debt of $97,688.

Economic aspects, Finance, Medical students, Student loans

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