The Rising Physicians Program: A Novel Approach for Mentoring Medical Students

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Student Professional Development
• Mentorship Programs

Background:

• Medical school transition presents significant academic and military lifestyle challenges for students.
• The Uniformed Services University previously lacked a formal mentoring program for new students.
• Mentoring is recognized as a strategy to aid student transition and professional growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the implementation and characteristics of the Rising Physicians Program, a new mentoring initiative.
• To assess the impact of near-peer mentoring on medical student transition and development.

Main Methods:

• The Rising Physicians Program connected pre-clerkship students with residents via a secure database.
• Participation was voluntary, with students initiating contact with mentors.
• A survey assessed program participation and characteristics among 175 students (Class of 2019).

Main Results:

• 15% of students participated in the voluntary mentoring program.
• In-person communication was preferred, but flexibility was key.
• Students reported benefits for academics, career pathways, and specialty selection, with minimal academic interference.

Conclusions:

• The Rising Physicians Program offers a valuable near-peer mentoring model for medical students.
• Mentoring effectively addresses new students' academic and professional development needs.
• Communication flexibility and in-person interaction are important components of successful mentoring relationships.