The House of the MedEdSCHOLARs: Designing Supportive Environments for Medical Education Scholarship

The Research in Medical Education committee established MedEdSCHOLAR , a mentoring program, in 2021. This commentary, written by the second cohort of MedEdSCHOLARs (early-career health professions education scholars from varied clinical and nonclinical backgrounds), frames contemporary mentorship using a house metaphor. The mentees describe how, like a well-built house requiring both quality construction and ongoing maintenance, effective mentorship depends on thoughtful design and continued engagement. The program's foundation rests on core values of excellence, connection, and growth in health professions education scholarship. Its floor plan defines structured learning activities supporting individual mentee development. The varied fenestrations (windows and doors) represent the program's customization and flexibility in promoting skill development. The roof symbolizes tangible achievements, whereas the scale with its slopes and ridges represents the program's impact metrics. Central to this metaphor is the load-bearing wall of shared responsibility among mentees, mentors, and the organization. Organizations seeking to establish their own mentoring initiatives can adapt this architectural metaphorical approach, carefully laying their own foundations by identifying core values most relevant to their context, thus building mentorship houses that will stand the test of time.