Preparing for medical school selection: Exploring the complexity of disadvantage through applicant narratives.

Background: Despite a growing drive to improve diversity in medical schools, those from state schools and less-advantaged sociodemographic backgrounds remain underrepresented. We explore applicants' approaches to preparing for medical school selection, considering the complexity of sociodemographic disadvantage in this highly competitive process.

Methods: Narrative interviews were undertaken with applicants to a United Kingdom medical school, exploring experiences of preparation for selection (n = 23).

Preparing for selection success: Socio-demographic differences in opportunities and obstacles.

Introduction: There is a growing drive to improve the heterogeneity of medical school cohorts. However, those from lower socio-economic groups remain under-represented. Understanding the methods used by applicants to prepare for medical school selection, and the challenges they face with respect to opportunities and access, may provide important insights to this lack of diversity.

Evaluation of the effect of socio-economic status on performance in a Multiple Mini Interview for admission to medical school.

Introduction: Widening participation in Medicine is a key policy priority as it helps promote a diverse and representative workforce and improves patient care. The selection process employed can influence the socio-economic composition of the student cohort and this study therefore evaluated whether Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) performance was influenced by school type or area-level Higher Education (HE) participation rates.

Methods: MMI performance for all UK applicants was recorded and consent to link performance with socio-economic data was requested using an applicant questionnaire.

Recombinant GABA(B) receptors formed from GABA(B1) and GABA(B2) subunits selectively inhibit N-type Ca(2+) channels in NG108-15 cells.

Efficient transfection of NG108-15 cells with GABA(B) receptor subunits was achieved using polyethylenimine. Baclofen modulated high voltage-activated Ca(2+) current in differentiated cells transfected with GABA(B1) and GABA(B2) receptor subunits or with the GABA(B2) subunit alone, but not with the GABA(B1) subunit alone. Characteristics of the current modulation were very similar for cells transfected with GABA(B1/2) and GABA(B2) subunits.