A novel mentorship programme for residents integrating academic development, clinical teaching and graduate medical education assessment.

Kriti Bhatia,James Kimo Takayesu,Eric S Nadel

doi:10.1007/s40037-015-0236-2

Abstract

IntroductionMentorship fosters career development and growth. During residency training, mentorship should support clinical development along with intellectual and academic interests. Reported resident mentoring programmes do not typically include clinical components. We designed a programme that combines academic development with clinical feedback and assessment in a four-year emergency medicine residency programme.MethodsIncoming interns were assigned an advisor. At the conclusion of the intern year, residents actively participated in selecting a mentor for the duration of residency. The programme consisted of quarterly meetings, direct clinical observation and specific competency assessment, assistance with lecture preparation, real-time feedback on presentations, simulation coaching sessions, and discussions related to career development. Faculty participation was recognized as a valuable component of the annual review process. Residents were surveyed about the overall programme and individual components.ResultsOver 88 % of the respondents said that the programme was valuable and should be continued. Senior residents most valued the quarterly meetings and presentation help and feedback. Junior residents strongly valued the clinical observation and simulation sessions.ConclusionsA comprehensive mentorship programme integrating clinical, professional and academic development provides residents individualized feedback and coaching and is valued by trainees. Individualized assessment of clinical competencies can be conducted through such a programme.

Highlights

IntroductionThe programme consisted of quarterly meetings, direct clinical observation and specific competency assessment, assistance with lecture preparation, real-time feedback on presentations, simulation coaching sessions, and discussions related to career development
The Standardized Direct Observation Tool, an assessment tool developed by the Council of Emergency Medicine Residency Directors for clinical skills and core competencies evaluation, is completed. ●● Presentations—Advisors are available to help with the preparation and review of all presentations prior to delivery
The required components of the programme are the same as those for the intern year the quarterly meetings are more focused on specific research or scholarly projects and issues related to career development

Summary

Introduction

The programme consisted of quarterly meetings, direct clinical observation and specific competency assessment, assistance with lecture preparation, real-time feedback on presentations, simulation coaching sessions, and discussions related to career development. Mentoring for residents deserves consideration since training is a period of rapid growth requiring time-sensitive decisions about career and practice choices in addition to achieving competence in patient care skills [4, 5]. Numerous mentorship programmes targeting residents have been developed, reported programmes do not typically include clinical mentoring components despite evidence that trainees’ clinical skills need improvement. In 2001, the United States’ Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) introduced six core competencies to standardize the evaluation of resident performance [6] Their implementation has required a significant time commitment from residency programmes for direct observational assessment of clinical skills [6].

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Conclusion