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Mentoring for subspecialty training program directors: an unrecognized, unmet need?
Journal of Graduate Medical Education
|October 7, 2011
Summary
Most nephrology program directors lack specific mentoring, leaving them unprepared for their roles. Mentorship from experienced directors is highly desired and could improve preparedness.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Nephrology Training
- Program Leadership
Background:
- Mentoring benefits for residents are established, but not for new program directors.
- Program director roles are complex and often undertaken without role-specific preparation.
- Lack of dedicated mentoring may hinder new program directors' effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- Assess mentoring prevalence among nephrology subspecialty program directors.
- Evaluate program directors' perceived preparedness for educational and administrative duties.
- Identify needs and potential benefits of targeted mentoring programs.
Main Methods:
- Electronic needs assessment survey distributed via American Society of Nephrology listserv.
- Targeted nephrology subspecialty program directors.
- Analyzed survey responses regarding mentoring and role preparedness.
Main Results:
- 42% response rate (58/139).
- 58% felt unprepared initially; only 32% had formal/informal mentoring.
- Prior associate director experience correlated with higher reported mentoring (P=.02).
Conclusions:
- First study on nephrology program director mentoring experiences.
- American Society of Nephrology established a workgroup to address mentoring needs.
- Further research needed on mentoring benefits and generalizability to other specialties.
