Premed Research Program: Impact on Physician Recruitment and Retention in an Underserved Community

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, enhancing their qualifications, improving medical school acceptance rates, and expanding the pool of local students committed to practicing in Hawai’i. Objective To evaluate SSRP's impact on 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 medical school admission, residency, and practice location, through surveys and internet research. Data compared early (1986–2002) and recent (2003–2023) cohorts. Results The program achieved a 73% medical school admission rate. Of 393 alumni, 221 became physicians, with 74 practicing in Hawai'i. Among those in training, 81% plan to practice locally. The program produced 57 abstracts, 43 posters, 53 oral presentations, and 37 peer-reviewed publications while providing students with clinical exposure and physician mentorship. Conclusion HPH SSRP successfully guides local students toward medical careers, with alumni medical school admission rates exceeding the national average by 30%. By increasing the number of local medical professionals committed to practicing in Hawai'i, the program helps address regional physician shortages. This community-based model may serve as a valuable framework for other underserved regions aiming to build a sustainable healthcare workforce.