Mentoring in Specialty Training in Oman: Insights from Trainees' Perspectives and Experiences

Mentorship is an important component of medical education, supporting trainees' professional and personal development. However, limited evidence from Oman explores residents' experiences with mentorship during specialty training.

To assess residents' perspectives and experiences of mentorship during specialty training at the Oman Medical Specialty Board (OMSB), evaluate how mentorship addresses their needs, and identify perceived challenges.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among all residents enrolled in OMSB training programs. A structured, self-administered questionnaire was developed based on literature review and expert input, and piloted to ensure clarity and content validity. The survey was distributed electronically via SurveyMonkey. Inclusion criteria included all active OMSB residents, while those not in training during the study period were excluded. Descriptive analysis was performed to summarize responses.

Of 718 eligible OMSB residents, 450 complete responses were included after excluding 16 incomplete responses, yielding a complete-case response rate of 62.7%. Overall, 230 residents (51.1%) reported having a mentor, 217 (48.2%) reported not having one, and 3 (0.7%) were unsure. Among residents with mentors, 57.1% had a formally assigned mentor. Mentorship was perceived to support academic goals by 75.0% and career opportunities by 62.7%. Commonly reported barriers included insufficient time for mentorship (85.4%), lack of skilled mentors (81.2%), lack of formalized objectives (80.4%), lack of personal connection (78.9%), and lack of formalized meeting times (75.9%). Subgroup analyses showed selected differences by gender and residency level.

Mentorship was perceived positively by many residents; however, only about half reported access to a mentor, and experiences varied by subgroup. Several structural challenges were identified, particularly limited time, insufficient skilled mentors, lack of formalized objectives, and weak mentor-mentee connection. These findings suggest a need for more structured and consistently implemented mentorship approaches within OMSB, including clearer program frameworks, mentor training, protected mentorship time, and support for both mentors and mentees.