Abstract
IntroductionFew studies have documented the value of mentoring for medical students, and research has been limited to more subjective (e.g., job satisfaction, perceived career preparation) rather than objective outcomes. This study examined whether having a mentor is associated with match outcome (where a student matched based on their rank order list [ROL]).MethodsWe sent a survey link to all emergency medicine (EM) program coordinators to distribute to their residents. EM residents were surveyed about whether they had a mentor during medical school. Match outcome was assessed by asking residents where they matched on their ROL (e.g., first choice, fifth choice). They were also asked about rank in medical school, type of degree (MD vs. DO), and performance on standardized tests. Residents who indicated having a mentor completed the Mentorship Effectiveness Scale (MES), which evaluates behavioral characteristics of the mentor and yields a total score. We assessed correlations among these variables using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Post-hoc analysis using independent sample t-test was conducted to compare differences in the MES score between those who matched to their first or second choice vs. third or higher choice.ResultsParticipants were a convenience sample of 297 EM residents. Of those, 199 (67%) reported having a mentor during medical school. Contrary to our hypothesis, there was no significant correlation between having a mentor and match outcome (r=0.06, p=0.29). Match outcome was associated with class rank (r=0.13, p=0.03), satisfaction with match outcome (r= −0.37, p<0.001), and type of degree (r=0.12, p=0.04). Among those with mentors, a t-test revealed that the MES score was significantly higher among those who matched to their first or second choice (M=51.31, SD=10.13) compared to those who matched to their third or higher choice (M=43.59, SD=17.12), t(194)=3.65, p<0.001, d=0.55.ConclusionSimply having a mentor during medical school does not impact match outcome, but having an effective mentor is associated with a more favorable match outcome among medical students applying to EM programs.
Highlights
Few studies have documented the value of mentoring for medical students, and research has been limited to more subjective rather than objective outcomes
This study examined whether having a mentor is associated with match outcome
Match outcome was assessed by asking residents where they matched on their rank order list (ROL)
Summary
Few studies have documented the value of mentoring for medical students, and research has been limited to more subjective (e.g., job satisfaction, perceived career preparation) rather than objective outcomes. Among academic physicians, mentoring is associated with increased job satisfaction, higher salary, increased research productivity, and career advancement.[1,2,3] Physicians with mentors were found to be 2.3 times more likely to be promoted than those without mentors.[4]. Compared to non-mentored residents, mentored residents were twice as likely to state that they received excellent career preparation.[5] A systematic review of mentoring programs for medical students revealed that having a mentor is associated with increased research productivity and interest in academic careers, enhanced well-being, and specialty choice for medical students.[6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
