ENT Mentorship Program for Preclinical Medical Students
Rishabh Sethia1,2, Cameron C Sheehan1,3, Douglas Danforth1
1College of Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
Summary
This preclinical mentorship program offers early otolaryngology exposure, enhancing medical students' clinical skills and confidence. Participants showed improved preparedness and higher residency match rates in this valuable specialty training initiative.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Surgical Specialties
Background:
- Otolaryngology residency applications are competitive, with limited preclinical student exposure.
- Guidance is crucial for students pursuing otolaryngology (ENT) careers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To offer preclinical medical students early exposure to otolaryngology.
- To facilitate clinical skills acquisition and provide mentorship for students interested in ENT.
Main Methods:
- Students were paired with otolaryngology faculty mentors.
- Participants engaged in clinical/surgical rotations, lectures, and rounds.
- Longitudinal surveys and performance evaluations tracked progress.
Main Results:
- 35 students and 17 faculty participated; all found it valuable.
- Participants reported higher confidence in clinical performance and anatomy knowledge.
- Initial participants achieved a 100% residency match rate, with 50% in otolaryngology.
Conclusions:
- The program effectively prepares students for clinical years and residency applications.
- It enhances competencies and provides support for navigating the otolaryngology match.
- This mentorship model is adaptable to other specialties and institutions.
