Feasibility and Impact of a Student-Led, Semi-Structured, Near-Peer Student Guides Program on Navigating Through...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Professions Training
• Mentorship Programs

Background:

• Mentorship is crucial for health professional development.
• Near-peer mentorship pairs senior and junior trainees for academic, professional, and social support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, usability, impact, and barriers of a 16-week near-peer student guides program.
• To evaluate a mentorship model involving first-year (MS1) and fourth-year (MS4) medical students.

Main Methods:

• Convergent parallel mixed methods study.
• Assessed enrollment, meeting frequency, and qualitative feedback from 39 MS1s and 41 MS4s.
• Feasibility defined by >2 meetings per guide; impact and barriers explored qualitatively.

Main Results:

• Enrollment: 22% of MS4s, 46% of MS1s. Feasibility: 67% of guides met the 2-meeting criteria (below 75% target).
• High satisfaction: 92% recommended, 85% satisfied with guidance.
• Barriers included meeting coordination and informal structures; diverse communication methods used (in-person, text, apps).

Conclusions:

• The program was not feasible by meeting frequency criteria but demonstrated high participant satisfaction.
• Near-peer mentorship provided academic, professional, and social benefits.
• Program revisions include centralized support, e-mentorship, and guide training to enhance sustainability.