Mentoring Research Articles

The Relationship between Serving as a Mentor and Depressive Symptoms among Sexual Minority Men in the MACS Healthy Aging Study.

Sexual minority men (SMM) in the US are twice as likely to experience mental health challenges, including depressive symptoms, compared with their heterosexual counterparts. Having a like-mentor, or a sexual minority mentor, is associated with improved mental well-being among SMM mentees. However, few studies have explored the potential benefits to mentors. Using confirmatory factor analysis, we calculated a perceptions of mentoring score that encompasses experiences and beliefs regarding mentoring of SMM from the Healthy Aging Substudy of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. We used a generalized estimating equations model to assess associations between perceptions of mentoring and clinically significant depressive symptoms adjusted for key covariates; models were also stratified by HIV serostatus. Among 1,246 men aged 40+ years, the strongest agreement was with the statement "I have encouraged people to be proud of their sexual orientation," for which 770 individuals (72%) indicated "Agree" or "Strongly Agree." Each unit increase in the mean perceptions of mentoring score was associated with 8% decreased odds of having clinically significant depressive symptoms (adjusted odds ratio: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.85-0.99). We show that SMM reported like-mentoring experiences and had positive mentoring beliefs, and that these were associated with a decreased odds of having depressive symptoms. Encouraging SMM to serve as like-mentors could be a way to counter depressive symptoms among this key population. There is a need for increased research regarding how mentoring programs can best be designed to benefit sexual minority mentees and mentors.

Medical students' views on oncology specialty: A cross-sectional study.

9038 Background: Understanding medical students’ views on oncology, including in jurisdictions where societal misperceptions and social stigma about oncology exist, could help foster higher interest in oncology field among future physicians. This study is conducted to identify factors associated with interest in oncology and likelihood of pursuing a career in an oncology-related field among medical students across various medical schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: A cross-sectional study involving students from 7 medical schools across UAE was conducted. Students’ demographics (n=5), oncology education (n=3) and prior exposure to oncology (n=6) were examined. Likert-type questions assessed students’ interest in oncology and likelihood of pursuing a career in oncology, students’ perspective on factors potentially affecting interest in oncology career (n=12) and the following constructed themes; i) general views about oncology (n=5), ii) confidence in skills related to challenging encounters (n=4), iii) oncology education (n=5) and iv) oncology support (n=4) in medical school. Pilot testing and validation was conducted with acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha ≥ 0.70). A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to identify independent variables associated with study outcomes. Results: Of all completed responses (n=145), about half were from students in UAEU vs other schools and in pre-medical vs preclinical/clinical phase (46% vs 54% and 51% vs 49%, respectively). Most (63%) had family member diagnosed with cancer and approximately a third (33%) felt pessimistic about oncology. Approximately half agreed that cancer diagnosis is often associated with social stigma (56%) and misperceptions (55%). Overall, 52% and 30% were interested in oncology and likely to pursue a career in oncology, respectively. The highest student-ranked factors affecting interest in oncology career included feeling pessimistic/optimistic about cancer, personal/family experience in cancer, opportunities to participate in oncology research, and availability of mentorship and good local residency program. Interest in oncology and likelihood of pursuing a career in oncology were associated with family member diagnosed with cancer (OR 2.55; 1.07 - 6.28 and 4.67; 1.53 - 16.9, respectively), feeling pessimistic about cancer (0.35; 0.13 - 0.89 and 0.08; 0.01 - 0.35, respectively) and premedical vs preclinical/clinical phase (OR 0.21; 0.06 - 0.67 and 0.06; 0.01 - 0.30, respectively). Interest in oncology was also positively correlated with a composite score derived from all questions in the constructed themes (p = 0.014 Wilcoxon Test). Conclusions: Students interest in oncology, and pursuing a career in oncology, is associated with personal/family experience in cancer, pessimistic views about oncology, and availability of mentorship/research/residency, but not social stigma or societal misperceptions.

Evaluating student feedback on the MBBS mentorship program in a medical college

Evaluating student feedback on the MBBS mentorship program in a medical college

Factors influencing career choices and post-fellowship perspectives in adult hematology/oncology fellows: A nationwide cross-sectional study.

9016 Background: The aim ofour study was to explore the characteristics, aspirations, and factors influencing career choices among adult Hematology/Oncology (HO) fellows, as well as their post-fellowship perspectives. Methods: An anonymous 25-question survey was distributed online to adult HO fellowship programs in the United States. The survey collected data on demographics, educational background, career plans, and specific factors influencing career choices. Results: Of the 56 fellows completing the survey, 54% identified as male, and 46% as female. The majority were White (40%), followed by Asian (34%), Middle Eastern (12%), Hispanic (7%), and Black (3%). Most fellows (79%) were aged 30-34 years, and 68% were MD graduates of US/Caribbean schools. A significant proportion expressed certainty (80%) during residency about pursuing adult HO as a career. Thirty eight percent of the respondents planned to practice both hematology and Oncology. While 39% hoped to work in an academic/university setting, 41% planned to stay within the community. Geographically, 45% preferred suburban, and 39% urban areas. Only 3% of respondents had plans to pursue a career in classical hematology. Factors influencing career choice included clinical interest in the field (98%), previous research experience in HO (54%), career mentorship (70%), lifestyle considerations (66%), and perceived job market (60%) (Table). Almost all respondents (97%) expressed a high likelihood of pursuing adult HO fellowship if they had to choose again. Fellows were confident about finding positions aligned with their interests, including clinical (72%), providing research opportunities (43%), and those offering intellectual stimulation (73%). While the majority were confident in achieving work-life balance (84%), 16% expressed some concerns. Conclusions: This study offers valuable insights into the factors influencing career choices among adult HO fellows. The findings emphasize the necessity of adjusting strategies to align with the evolving needs and aspirations of prospective fellows. Key initiatives could include fortifying career mentorship programs, providing increased support for those interested in classical hematology, fostering research experiences during residency training, and actively promoting a diverse and inclusive environment. Understanding these aspects and results is crucial for program directors, educators, and policymakers to optimize training programs and support the diverse needs of future practitioners in the field. [Table: see text]

Continuing Professional Development Program in Health Facilities in Rwanda: A Qualitative Study on the Perceptions of Health Professionals.

Continuous professional development (CPD) is an important pillar in healthcare service delivery. Health professionals at all levels and disciplines must continuously update their knowledge and skills to cope with increasing professional demands in the context of a continuously changing spectrum of diseases. This study aimed to assess the CPD programs available in healthcare facilities (HFs) in Rwanda. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using purposive sampling. Accordingly, the respondents belonged to different categories of health professionals, namely nurses, midwives, laboratory technicians, pharmacists, general practitioners, and specialist doctors. Thirty-five participants from district, provincial, and national referral hospitals were interviewed between September and October 2020. A thematic analysis was conducted using Atlas ti.7.5.18, and the main findings for each theme were reported as a narrative summary. The CPD program was reported to be available, but not for all HPs and HFs, because of either limited access to online CPD programs or limited HF leaders. Where available, CPD programs have sometimes been reported to be irrelevant to health professionals and patients' needs. Furthermore, the planning and implementation of current CPD programs seldom involves beneficiaries. Some HFs do not integrate CPD programs into their daily activities, and current CPD programs do not accommodate mentorship programs. The ideal CPD program should be designed around HPs and service needs and delivered through a user-friendly platform. The motivators for HPs to engage in CPD activities include learning new things that help them improve their healthcare services and license renewal. This study provides an overview of the status and perceptions of the CPD program in HFs in Rwanda and provides HPs' insights on the improvements in designing a standardized and harmonized CPD program in Rwanda.

Medical Student Mentorship for Undergraduate Students Underrepresented in Medicine Improves Confidence and Knowledge About Medical School Application.

Purpose Applying to medical school is accompanied by significant barriers to prospective applicants. Students who are underrepresented in medicine (URiM) may face additional barriers. We created a mentorship program to pair pre-medical URiM students with medical student mentors. The purpose of this study was to determine if providing mentorship and resources to URiM pre-medical students increased their knowledge and confidence regarding the medical school application process. Method A survey was emailed to mentees of the program to assess their knowledge and confidence about the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and medical school application before and after receiving mentorship. Wilcoxon-Signed-Rank tests were used for data analysis. Results A total of 28 participants completed the pilot study of which 17 gave qualitative feedback. Students reported feeling significantly more knowledgeable and confident after six months of enrollment on seven (77.8%) of the survey items.Respondents agreed that mentorship was the most valuable aspect of the program, with 13 (76.5%) respondents qualitatively endorsing the positive impact mentorship imparted to them. Conclusion Having a medical student mentor helped URiM pre-medical students feel more knowledgeable and confident about the medical school application process. By providing URiM students with additional resources, the diversity of future classes of physicians may improve and better mirror the populations they will serve.

Mentoring Networks in Academic Medicine: A Longitudinal Exploration.

The importance of ethnic and gender representation in academic medicine is of paramount importance. While mentoring effectively attracts and retains underrepresented individuals, scientists from underrepresented groups face barriers to high-quality mentorship. The developmental network model by Higgins and Kram suggests that a variety of people with unique knowledge, connections, and resources can help propel an individual's career and personal growth. This study experimentally tested the outcomes of a workshop series and mentorship program to assist early-career biomedical investigators from predominantly minority institutions establish and maintain developmental networks. This study provides preliminary insights into the characteristics of these developmental networks for investigators with different funding goals and how these networks evolve, potentially impacting career trajectories.

Centralising the creation and management of mentorship programmes.

Centralising the creation and management of mentorship programmes.

Diversity and Inclusion in I&M: IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Mentorship Program

Diversity and Inclusion in I&M: IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Mentorship Program

Teen pregnancy involvement among African, Caribbean and Black adolescent boys and girls: A scoping review

ObjectivesThis study aims to investigate the incidence, associated factors and interventions to address teen pregnancy involvement (TPI) among African, Caribbean and Black (ACB) adolescents in North America.DesignWe conducted a scoping...

Optimizing Talent Acquisition: Strategies for Efficiency and Employee Engagement

This research study aims to analyze the resource-intensive nature of current recruitment practices in selected companies in Mysore City and develop strategies for sustaining employee engagement and loyalty. By examining the challenges faced in talent acquisition and retention, the study seeks to identify opportunities for enhancing organizational efficiency and effectiveness in attracting and retaining skilled individuals. This study conducts a thorough examination of recruitment practices and employee engagement strategies in both manufacturing and service sectors by employing a descriptive research design. A sample size of 100 HR managers and executives are selected using simple random sampling, with primary data collected through structured questionnaires. Statistical tools such as ANOVA are utilized to analyze the data, providing insights into industry-wise variations and uniformities in recruitment practices and employee engagement initiatives. The analysis reveals consistent employee engagement scores across manufacturing and service sectors, with non-significant differences in variables such as employee satisfaction scores, retention rates, and participation in training and development programs. Moreover, industry-wise variations in employee engagement strategies, including communication effectiveness and mentorship program participation, are found to be statistically insignificant, This study unfolds the importance of adopting a holistic approach to employee engagement and recruitment practices. The findings suggest that certain engagement initiatives can be implemented uniformly across industries, although organizations should remain attentive to sector-specific needs. Future research could delve deeper into understanding the impact of organizational culture on employee engagement and explore innovative strategies to address evolving workplace dynamics. Ultimately, fostering a resilient and loyal workforce requires continuous adaptation and refinement of engagement strategies in diverse organizational settings.

Project Impact: A Public Community College Campus–Based Support and Reentry Program for Justice-Impacted Students in New York City

Background: Between 70 million and 100 million Americans have a record of interaction with the criminal legal system, a group facing stigma and discrimination in civic participation, housing, employment, and education. Justice-impacted people face collateral consequences in the community, making reentry programs essential to success at reintegration. Focus of Study: Project Impact (PI) at the Borough of Manhattan Community College/City University of New York (BMCC/CUNY) supports students impacted by the criminal legal system. PI provides direct services to justice-impacted students through an extensive peer mentoring program and a high school equivalency program, and by offering college credit–bearing courses to students presently incarcerated in partnership with John Jay College’s Prison-to-College Pipeline. PI defines “justice impacted” expansively as students who have been formerly incarcerated, have family who have been incarcerated or arrested, have had issues in family court, or in any other way have been significantly affected by the criminal legal system. Research Design/Conclusions: This evaluation provides unequivocal evidence of the strong, positive impact that PI is making, serving as a rare campus-based reentry program within a community college in New York City.

STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF PEER MENTORING AND MATHEMATICS ANXIETY AMONG SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NIGERIA

This study examined students’ perceptions of peer mentoring and mathematics anxiety among senior secondary school students in Nigeria. The study explores students' attitudes toward participating in peer mentoring programmes. Descriptive statistical techniques were used to answer the research questions. The findings of this study revealed that a significant proportion of students strongly agreed that the mentoring programme was transformative and provided unique learning opportunities for academic performance. It was further revealed that the mentoring programme had a remarkable effect on reducing mathematics anxiety. Therefore, it was recommended that the Nigerian government should encourage the expansion and continuity of peer mentoring programmes in schools. It also suggested that there should be training and ongoing professional development for mentors.

Pendampingan Pemberdayaan Tanaman Aquaponik Masyarakat Perum Emerald Garden Bumiayu

The aquaponic plant empowerment mentoring program at Emerald Garden Housing, Bumiayu, aims to improve community skills and welfare through environmentally friendly cultivation technology. Aquaponics is a system that combines the cultivation of fish (aquaculture) and plants (hydroponics) in a mutually beneficial environment. This activity includes several stages, namely socialization, training, technical assistance and evaluation. The methods used include outreach, direct demonstrations, and field practice involving all residents. The program results show an increase in community knowledge and skills in managing aquaponic systems, as well as a significant increase in plant and fish production. Apart from that, this program also has a positive impact on improving the household economy and local food security. From the evaluation results, it can be seen that there is high enthusiasm from the community to continue developing and utilizing this aquaponic technology. This program has succeeded in creating a sustainable community empowerment model that can be replicated in other areas. The challenges faced include limited land and the need for technical adjustments that require further attention

Gender Inequality in the Workplace in Japan

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the gender inequality in the workplace in Japan. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Gender inequality in Japan's workplace persists despite initiatives to promote equality, with women facing challenges in accessing leadership roles and equal pay. Traditional gender norms and demanding work cultures contribute to limited career advancement opportunities for women, resulting in a significant gender gap in senior positions. Despite efforts to address these issues through policies promoting women's workforce participation and equal employment opportunities, progress remains slow. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Gender stratification theory, intersectionality theory & social role theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the gender inequality in the workplace in Japan. Implement targeted interventions, such as mentorship programs, leadership development initiatives, and diversity quotas, to increase the representation of women in senior management positions, fostering a more inclusive organizational culture and challenging traditional gender roles. Advocate for policy reforms that mandate gender diversity quotas on corporate boards and executive leadership teams, drawing on successful practices from other countries to promote greater transparency and accountability in corporate governance.

A novel global safe surgery mentorship program using a multidisciplinary team approach.

The global surgery movement aims to provide equitable surgical care in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and attempts to address a wide range of issues around the lack of access and poor-quality. In response, the Lifebox McCaskey Safe Surgery Fellowship was established in Ethiopia to train a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. We conducted this study to evaluate the outcome of this training program. A qualitative study was conducted to evaluate the implementations and outcomes of the first three cohorts of the McCaskey Fellowship. Interviews with fellows, mentors, and program staff reveal valuable insights into the program's strengths and challenges. Key findings include positive feedback on the program's curriculum highlighting its multidisciplinary nature. Challenges were noted in maintaining schedules, communication with healthcare facilities, and budget constraints, suggesting the need for improved program management. The fellowship's impact was evident in altering participants' perceptions of teamwork and enhancing their research and leadership skills. Fellows initiated quality improvement projects impacting surgical practices positively. However, challenges, such as hospital resistance and the COVID-19 pandemic, affected program implementation. Despite various challenges, the program's unique approach combining multidisciplinary training and local mentorship proves promising. It fosters a culture of teamwork, equips participants with essential skills, and encourages fellows to become advocates for safe surgery. As surgical quality champions emerge from this fellowship, there is optimism for lasting positive impacts on surgical care in LMICs.

A Peer Mentoring Program for Faculty Development in Presentation Skills

Junior faculty are often called upon to deliver high-stakes large-group presentations. Training in the skills needed to do this effectively is often lacking. We devised a 1.25 h coaching program. The coach analyzed a practice run of the presentation using a locally developed assessment tool. Areas covered included public speaking skills, promoting learner understanding and retention, creating a dynamic learning climate, and optimal use of slides. COVID-19 necessitated a switch to virtual coaching, and we studied the impact of virtual vs. in-person coaching. We added two additional coaches and studied the transferability of the coaching component. There was high uptake of the offered coaching. Participant surveys showed improved comfort levels with large-group presentations; had a sense that their presentation skills had improved; showed an increased likelihood of volunteering for future speaking opportunities; and were likely to recommend the program. Comparisons between virtual and in-person coaching showed no statistical difference, and there was little difference between the original coach and the subsequent two coaches. Qualitative assessments revealed broad areas in which faculty felt the program had been most impactful. The coaching program was well-received and resulted in concrete positive changes in presenter behavior. Conducting the coaching in a virtual manner may increase the feasibility of the intervention, as would expanding the coach pool.

Students career interest and understanding of corporate governance education in Ghana

PurposeGiven the perceived weak corporate governance systems in Ghana, corporate governance education curriculum requires empirical investigations to ascertain factors that can enhance student knowledge in governance systems based on their career interests and programme of study. Therefore, we investigate whether students with a career interest in corporate governance exhibit a significantly different level of comprehension compared to those without such an interest. Furthermore, we explore whether the comprehension of course concepts differs across various business-related programmes, investigating potential variations in understanding among students from diverse programme backgrounds.Design/methodology/approachUsing a descriptive design, we adopt a quantitative approach and survey method to collect cross-sectional data from 1,050 undergraduate students in selected Ghanaian public universities. We analyse the data using t-test and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA).FindingsWe establish no statistically significant difference in comprehension levels of corporate governance concepts between students with a career interest in corporate governance and those with no career interest. However, we find statistically significant differences in the comprehension of corporate governance concepts among students pursuing different business-related programmes.Practical implicationsOur findings imply that the corporate governance course should be taught practically, giving students insights into what the course entails from an industrial viewpoint. This may entail engaging experts from industry as visiting lecturers at intervals to bridge the gap between theory and practice. Students could also benefit from mentorship programmes from industry, internships and related placements to ensure an understanding of theoretical concepts from practical perspectives.Originality/valueOur study is novel and contributes to extant literature because it is the first empirical study on corporation governance education that emphasizes on students career interests and programme of study from a developing country perspective.

Overcoming challenges and thriving as a new NGO – a case for institutional capacity building

ABSTRACT New non-governmental organisations (NGOs) face a challenging landscape, struggling to secure funding and demonstrate impact in their early stages. This creates a Catch-22 situation, hindering their ability to gain traction. This paper explores these hurdles and showcases how the Abdullah Dzinamarira Foundation (ADF), a Zimbabwean NGO, navigated these challenges through resourcefulness. The paper outlines successful strategies adopted by ADF, including diversifying funding streams, forging strategic partnerships, and leveraging volunteers. These strategies allowed ADF to maximise the impact of limited resources while laying the groundwork for future sustainability. Looking beyond individual efforts, the paper emphasises the need for a shift towards institutional capacity building for new NGOs. Investing in their potential fosters a vibrant civil society and empowers local actors to deliver culturally appropriate solutions. The authors call for a collaborative approach, urging international NGOs, funders, and stakeholders to prioritise mentorship programs, online resources, and regional training hubs to equip new NGOs with the tools they need to thrive and become architects of positive change.

Bringing Global Ecological Research to Undergraduate Students Through Citizen Science

AbstractResearch integrated into higher education curricula has been shown by numerous studies to be beneficial to undergraduate students. Citizen science provides an alternative to research performed in a lab and is gaining traction as a good choice for integration into classes. The Undergraduate Student Experiences in Citizen Science (USE Cit Sci) research collaboration network is working to help more instructors in higher education adopt citizen science as part of their curriculum by providing training and educational materials. To date, the Network has identified areas of critical need for citizen science to be more readily used in higher education courses and created a clearinghouse of lessons for faculty to use freely. Forthcoming products of the USE Cit Sci network include direct partnerships between educators and citizen science projects in addition to a peer mentoring program. Given the preponderance of ecology citizen science projects available, bringing this educational opportunity to students opens new avenues of pedagogical experiences.