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Striving for Meaning and Purpose in Mentoring
Kimberly Hamilton1, Renee Reynolds2, Susan Durham3
1Department of Neurosurgery, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
Pediatric Neurosurgery
|April 27, 2026
Summary
Mentorship is crucial for neurosurgical training and career progression. This lifelong process evolves through early, mid, and late career stages, benefiting both mentors and mentees.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Education
- Professional Development
Background:
- Mentorship is fundamental for neurosurgical training and career advancement.
- It influences technical skills, professional identity, and leadership potential.
- Three pediatric neurosurgeons reflect on the meaning and purpose derived from mentorship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the evolving role and impact of mentorship across different career stages in pediatric neurosurgery.
- To understand how mentorship contributes to personal meaning and professional purpose for neurosurgeons.
- To provide insights into effective mentorship strategies for neurosurgical trainees and practitioners.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study involving reflective essays from three pediatric neurosurgeons at distinct career phases.
- Analysis of personal experiences and perspectives on mentorship dynamics.
- The study focuses on the subjective experiences and insights of the participants.
Main Results:
- Early career: Emphasis on actively seeking guidance and identifying diverse mentors.
- Mid-career: Focus shifts to providing mentorship, aligning roles, setting goals, and modeling resilience.
- Late career: Mentorship is viewed as reciprocal, sustaining, and crucial for legacy building.
Conclusions:
- Mentorship is a dynamic, lifelong journey that transforms with career progression.
- Effective mentorship benefits individuals, strengthens the neurosurgical community, and fosters professional legacy.
- The reciprocal nature of mentorship offers enduring meaning and contributes significantly to the profession.
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