Faculty Development: How Do We Encourage Faculty to Become Better Teachers and Mentors?

Abstract

A healthy mentor relationship is a mutually beneficial experience and a necessary part of the natural progression of a career in academic medicine. We sought to explore the advantages of and challenges to becoming a mentor in current academic urology. Mentorship can promote self-confidence in the ability to choose a career, drive academic productivity, and even inspire a career in academic medicine. It is necessary to help promote advancement in diverse socioeconomic groups within medical trainees. Strong mentors can serve as role models to the next generation of doctors. However, the ability to be an effective mentor is being challenged in today's world of academic medicine. By staying current with the issues surrounding mentorship, an individual can be fulfilled and successful in training and guiding doctors into the new era of medicine.