Structured Faculty Mentoring Program Boosts Resident Academic Productivity

A newly published study in the journal Teaching and Learning In Medicine highlights the effectiveness of a formal mentoring program for residents in obstetrics and gynecology. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that the program significantly increased residents' academic productivity and career advancement. The study's findings emphasize the importance of mentoring in academic medicine and suggest that such programs should be strongly encouraged for residents, particularly those with specific deficiencies.

Key Takeaways:

• A structured faculty mentoring program was developed in 2006 to promote residents' professional development and academic productivity in obstetrics and gynecology.
• The program involved 25 residents and 18 faculty members, with residents selecting their mentors and meeting regularly to discuss their progress.
• After two years, 7 residents (28%) had scientific publications, compared to 10% in the preceding year.
• 11 residents (44%) presented oral or poster presentations, and 17 (68%) were conducting scientific research.
• Mentors' effectiveness was rated between 4.3 and 4.7 on a Likert scale of 1-5.
• Three of four residents in remediation fulfilled their educational requirements, while four residents noted insufficient meeting time.
• The research team concluded that mentoring should be strongly encouraged for residents, especially those with specific deficiencies.

Statistics:

• 25 residents participated in the mentoring program.
• 18 faculty members were involved in the program as mentors.
• 7 residents (28%) published scientific papers after two years.
• 11 residents (44%) presented oral or poster presentations.
• 17 residents (68%) were conducting scientific research.
• Mentors' effectiveness ratings ranged from 4.3 to 4.7 on a Likert scale of 1-5.
• 3 of 4 residents in remediation fulfilled their educational requirements.
• 4 residents noted inadequate meeting time.

Sources:

• Ogunyemi, D., et al. (2010). Promoting residents' professional development and academic productivity using a structured faculty mentoring program. Teaching and Learning In Medicine, 22(2), 93-6.