The Importance Of Pipeline Programs

In the United States, minority populations are often faced with many adversities. The younger populations frequently encounter barriers that may prevent them from seeking higher education, leaving a need for an increase number of diverse health professionals. Therefore, the importance of creating programs that focus on recruiting students of diverse population is crucial in order to help serve our ethnically diverse population. Pipeline programs, like the one offered by UCLA, helps provide opportunities to underrepresented students in order to increase their representation in various career fields. For instance, the UCLA pipeline program encourages their students to enter the medical field (UCLA, 2017).
By providing motivation to students
at an earlier age will expose them to pursue careers in the science field, which are considered challenging or even unattainable for many students (Davis et. al, 2006). Students who live in low income neighborhoods are surrounded by more violence, which can potentially lead them down a bad path. Hence, graduation rates may be lower, than someone growing up in an affluent community. The emotional and psychological stressors experienced by the struggles and predicaments of low income families can prevent students from seeking higher education (Braveman, 2014).
Although some may argue, that the healthcare system lacks a high percentage of diverse professionals, pipeline programs help address that by offering support to students of different ethnic backgrounds to increase their representation in the health field (Katz et.
al, 2016). Studies have demonstrated that health professionals who are culturally sensitive, can provide the best service to their patients. Primary care provider's, such as nurse practitioners tends to be the first responders with patients. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of health care providers in large organizations as they shift demographics to help serve diverse patient populations. Hence, it can help address the health disparities that minority populations experience, and create a relationship with the community that they serve. For instance, according to Seibert (2002), when patients do not feel comfortable with their doctors it can hinder recovery time and create more stress for both parties. Hospitals are spending a lot of money training staff to be more culturally competent, yet this can be reduced by hiring people that represent the community that they serve (Seibert et. al,
2002).
The language barrier is another problem that continues to present itself as a constant challenge in health care.
This has led to poor communication between patients and providers of different race/ethnic or cultural backgrounds (Betancourt, 2002). According to Betancourt study, more than 31 million Americans are unable to speak the same language as their health care provider. This issue leads to poor rate of individual seeking health care access and poor health outcomes. Limited English proficiency is associated with adverse consequences for receiving access to health care services. For example, Latinos are one of the largest minority-groups in the United States. When many patients only speak Spanish and the doctors and nurses do not speak or understand the language, in can lead to a major barrier (Betancourt, 2002).The partnership between health professionals and schools are crucial in order to promote health careers to minority populations. Programs like UCLA pipeline program, enable professionals to reach students in minority populations to prepare them to enter the medical field. Through mentorship, and hands on experience they are able to receive the support they need to succeed in the field. This will help them be exposed to learn how to work with patients, especially with underserved communities. Furthermore, current research has found that minority health professionals are more likely to work in under-served communities (Patterson et. al,
2006).
It is evident that the impact of socioeconomic status can greatly impact health outcomes. Hence, health-related behaviors are associated with the level of education, income and poverty. An abundance of research studies has documented on the racial and ethnic disparities among many populations such as Blacks and Hispanics. These minority populations have less access to health care services, and the quality of service they receive is poor compared to Caucasians. The health outcomes would also be worse, since low income neighborhoods have fewer physicians (Komaromy et. al, 1996).
Moreover, research demonstrates that people with a low social economic status are at higher risk of being discriminated and feel reluctant to seek health care services (Braveman, 2014). Yet, empowering students to participate in a pipeline program can ultimately lead to health equity and ensure that patients who do seek treatment are treated with respect. Hiring more physicians that represented minority groups are also more likely to serve areas who have a shortage of health care services and be culturally competent with their community members (Komaromy et. al, 1996). Overall, the pipeline programs are important and necessary in order to change health inequality and reduce health disparities among minority populations in the United States.