Improving Retention at the
UMKC School of Medicine
presented by Susan B. Wilson PhD MBA
Associate Dean of Diversity and Community Partnership
and
Brenda Rogers, MD
Associate Dean of Student Affairs
Background: Student Success
Committee 2009
• 5 factors were identified that impact student
success. These included:
-Students who study independently and have academic
difficulty.
-Personal factors that impact academic achievement.
- Level of academic support for courses with high D, F
and W rates.
-Student knowledge deficits regarding resources.
-Student life skill deficits, including study skills.
Goals
• To increase the graduating class size
from 90 to 105.
• To increase recruitment and retention of
URM students and faculty.
• To decrease rates of attrition in all
student groups.
Baseline Metrics
• The overall attrition rate is 21% (1970-2009);
15% ( and similar to other combined degree
programs) when you eliminate Year 1 and 2
students.
• Attrition rates have decreased overall during
the past four years (18.5% in 2007 to 2.8% in
2009).
• Attrition for women and men has been stable
and is comparable.
Baseline Metrics
• Year 3-6 Attrition is 6-8 %, comparable
to rates associated with 4 year medical
school programs.
• Longitudinal URM attrition is generally
higher than the general medical school
population and has been dropping the
past several years.
Strategy 1: Student /Faculty
Outreach , Recruitment and
Selection
• Enhanced outreach and pipeline efforts to
recruit URM and rural students .
• Improved communication and relationshipbuilding strategies with these groups.
• Implementation and refinement of “holistic
review” practices in selection.
• Development of a URM faculty recruitment
and retention committee and plan.
Strategy 2: Target Academic
Problem Areas and Provide Support
• Recognition that some students need more support
than what faculty can realistically provide.
• Identify high D,F, W courses and analyze available
academic support .
• Increase the number of out-of-class study groups,
tutoring and other supports.
• Student grades are tracked by ETC’s and faculty and
earlier intervention is provided utilizing the U-First
System.
Target high-difficulty-level
course(s)
• Human Structure Function is a four-part
course that has traditionally had a higherthan –average D, F, W rate.
• Each segment incorporates different teaching
and learning methods; students find this
aspect especially challenging.
• An orientation to the course was developed
to assist students in understanding how to
approach each segment and maximize
success.
Strategy 3: Provide support and
mentoring at key transition points
• Assistant Dean position for year 1-2 students
was added and strengthens physician
visibility and mentoring .
• Assistant Dean of Career Counseling and
programming helps students make better and
earlier decisions about career direction.
• Learning specialist position was upgraded
from part time to full time.
Address Personal and Wellness Issues
That Impact Academic Success
• Wellness coordinator hired.
• Wellness assessment and plans are provided;
workshops planned (78 consultations; all types)
• Face book page was launched.
• Most common reported student issues: family
difficulties, stress that impacts studying, financial
stressors.
• In planning stages: conducting interviews at key
transition points.
Strategy 4: Enhance and Promote
Study and Skill-Building Groups
• All students are asked to provide feedback about
whether they have a study group and who is
participating.
• Isolated students who study alone have greater
difficulty; outreach to these students to encourage
their participation is warranted.
• Support is provided regarding forming study groups.
• Students are identified to provide tutoring and a
mechanism to pay them was developed.
Develop Skill-Building Groups that
Address Common Adjustment Problem
Areas
• Because of the age (18-24 years) of our
students, skill development is a critical
factor that supports academic success.
• Groups are in development to address
common adjustment problems: multitasking, perfectionism, procrastination,
life and social skills and wellness.
Strategy 5: Increase Student Awareness
of Resources
• A student handbook was developed
with information specific to the SOM
and is distributed at orientation and
discussed in class meetings.
• Information helps student increase
understanding of how to access
resources important to success…in one
place
Future Directions
• The continued collection of detailed
data on factors that are associated with
success and difficulty.
• Development of a new student survey
which is administered at greater
frequency to identify trends and
opportunities for improvement.
Thank you! Questions?