Goal-Oriented Surgical Mentoring Yields Long-Term Benefits for Both Mentor and Mentee

BackgroundEarly-career surgeons can have challenges in establishing and growing their careers. Many mentoring programs lack concrete data and have nebulous outcomes to evaluate success. We sought to develop and evaluate the long-term benefits of a goal-oriented, ACS-based surgical mentoring program. We hypothesize that a goal-oriented, individualized, ACS-based 1-year mentoring program to match senior surgeons ("mentors") with early-career surgeons ("mentees") would have long-term measurable benefits.Study DesignThis is a prospective longitudinal cohort study. A 1-year pilot mentoring program was developed through the ACS in 2011, evaluated, and then recreated in 2013. Mentors and mentees were paired based on numerous factors and were required to conceive a goal. Exit surveys were conducted at the end of each program. A long-term follow-up phone interview and survey were completed 8 years post-mentorship completion. Success was based on the ability of the pair to identify a goal and accomplish that goal in part or full.ResultsThere was a considerable and diverse interest in the program judging by the number of applications submitted based on a single invitation. Successful pairs are more likely to keep in touch and assist the mentoring program in the future.ConclusionMentors and mentees benefit from participation in a goal-oriented surgical mentoring program. The benefits include increased knowledge, participation and promotion in professional societies, career changes, and the formation of both professional relationships and personal friendships. Such results showcase a direct connection between a positive mentor-mentee relationship and increased success and satisfaction in the medical community.