Barriers to Medical Entry: Addressing Underrepresentation

In this episode of Sharp Scratch, the panel gets together to talk about widening participation in medical school. 

The panellists, made up of medical students Maira and George, chat with guest Clare Owen, director of policy at the Medical Schools Council. 

Together they discuss what is meant by widening participation, the importance of schemes that have been implemented to widen participation in medicine, and some of the barriers that exist for students from groups that are underrepresented in medical degrees, including students from working class backgrounds. The episode looks at current initiatives that have been implemented in order to support and retain students from widening participation backgrounds once they are at medical school, as well as the challenges of financial barriers. The episode also highlights the need for greater representation among medical school faculty, emphasising the value of diversity in the medical workforce and the role that medical students may be able to play in promoting widening participation.

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