Addressing Stigma by Increasing Empathy Toward Vulnerable Populations in Preprofessional Trainees: Impacts of the Generation Tomorrow Summer Health Disparities Scholars Program

Abstract

Background: Creating empathetic health care professionals is critical to addressing the health equity challenges of today, particularly because it relates to vulnerable populations. Methods: To assess the impact of the Johns Hopkins Center for AIDS Research Generation Tomorrow Summer Health Disparities Scholars (GTSHDS) program on students' empathy toward individuals living with substance use disorder and differential impact on empathy related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Attitudes towards Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ), an assessment of stigmatizing attitudes, was administered. Preprogram and postprogram participation AMIQ survey data were compared using paired t tests to explore changes within the program year. Unpaired t tests were used to characterize differences between the mean scores across the 2 student cohorts. Results: Both GTSHDS cohorts displayed postprogram increase in empathy. Mean 2019 cohort AMIQ scores shifting from −1.4 (SD 2.01) to −0.8 (SD 2.35) (P = 0.54), and the 2022 cohort shifting from −3.67 (SD 2.01) to −3 (SD 1.61) (P = 0.79). On average, individual scores improved by 2.2 (SD 1.65) points in the 2019 cohort and 2.4 (SD 1.86) points in the 2022 cohort (P = 0.83). Although these were not statistically significant, they suggested a trend toward more empathy. Conclusions: Preliminary data suggest that programs such as GTSHDS that expose students to various aspects of health care principles can prepare future health care professionals in a manner that may reduce health care disparities. Future research with larger population sizes is needed to understand the impacts of the curriculum on empathy and related concepts to achieving health equity.

An Italian Validation of the 5-Item Attitudes to Mental Illness Questionnaire (AMIQ): A Useful Tool for Rapid Assessment of Stigma, Acceptance, and Tolerance

“…Proposed solutions to address the stigmatization in the healthcare environment involve providing more targeted education and training before their entry into the workforce, incorporating curricular internships, and offering organizational support and counseling opportunities for HCWs working with these patients. Ultimately, such programs may enhance the quality of healthcare delivery for these patients [30][31][32]. In this respect, previous studies have administered the AMIQ before and after completion of an educational intervention, proving how the AMIQ can vary following an educational intervention [32,33].…”

Supplemental Issue of the Journal of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (JAIDS): The Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI)

“…The Generation Tomorrow Summer Health Disparities Scholars Program compared 2 cohort of scholars to describe any trends or changes in empathy related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 8 The “DC CFAR Scholars Program” is based at Howard University and was designed for URM high school students from the DC metropolitan area and URM undergraduate students from Howard, American, Georgetown, and George Washington Universities. Activities included weekly scholar meetings on scientific and career development topics, 9-month mentored research experiences with investigators at DC CFAR collaborating institutions, and near-peer mentoring with URM graduate student leads.…”

“…The Generation Tomorrow Summer Health Disparities Scholars Program compared 2 cohort of scholars to describe any trends or changes in empathy related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 8…”