Gabrielle Milner

Evaluation of a Cancer Wellness Internship: A Pipeline for Promoting Cancer Health Equity Education Among Diverse Pre-Health Students

Authors: Gabrielle E. Milner, Amber Gipson, Alyson Moadel-Robblee

Despite biomedical advances in cancer treatment, racial and ethnic disparities persist across the cancer care continuum. Compounding concerns about projected shortages of oncologists, the American Society of Clinical Oncology reports a pressing need to diversify and educate the future oncology workforce towards addressing the sociocultural needs of underserved patients. The Bronx Oncology Living Daily (BOLD) Program of the Montefiore Einstein Center for Cancer Care has partnered with local schools to offer diverse students a cancer wellness internship experience. Interns conduct quality-of-life assessments with underserved cancer patients, assist with wellness workshops, and participate in community cancer education. 20 of 27 (74%) students interning from 3-12 months between 2018-2019 completed anonymous, post-internship evaluations. Respondents indicated increased interest in health careers (90%), health advocacy and equity (95%), and the field of oncology (44%). Interns’ Mean self-rating (1-5 scale) about their knowledge of cancer disparities increased more than two-fold, from 2.21 to 4.53. Among valued skills gained were learning about psychosocial needs of underserved cancer patients (65%), communication skills (65%), and social determinants of health (50%). To exemplify impact, one intern stated “I felt empowered and encouraged to make a difference in a place where I was born and raised. I am grateful to have helped my community in a way that relieves stress upon those who have experienced difficulty with a sick loved one.” Data indicate the BOLD internship provides a valuable service learning experience and pipeline for diverse students poised to pursue health care careers with an interest in cancer health equity.

Email questions and comments about this abstract to gabrielle.milner@gmail.com.