Purpose: A guided, near-peer mentorship program was designed to reduce anxiety when transitioning into clinical clerkships and to teach clinical medical students how to effectively mentor a fellow student.
Background: Transitioning from preclinical to clinical education is a significant milestone in medical training; however, it is associated with anxiety and uncertainty about adapting to a new work and learning environment. Additionally, mentorship is an essential part of a career in medicine, however, there are few opportunities within medical training to learn how to mentor effectively.
Methods: This program was developed and implemented at a regional medical campus. Preclinical students (mentees) were matched with clinical students (mentors) to meet three times to discuss concerns when transitioning into clerkships. Mentors attended a workshop to learn about effective mentorship and were given discussion guides to reference during meetings with their mentee. Feedback surveys were collected from mentees and mentors.
Results: Forty-three of the 48 potential students participated in the program, with 20 mentees and 18 mentors completing the feedback survey. Among the mentees, 18 agreed that participating in the program decreased their stress and anxiety about transitioning into clerkships and 19 reported they would recommend the program to other students. Among the mentors, 17 would recommend the program to other students and 14 agreed that participating was useful in their professional and academic development.
Discussions: Mentees reported feeling supported in their transition into clerkships and mentors reported feeling prepared to effectively mentor a fellow student. This program proved to markedly decrease the anxiety associated with a high-stress transition.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2022, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Osteopathic Faculty, Professionalism, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, UME, Team-Based Learning,
Emma Barr, BS, BA, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine; Steven R. Craig, MD; Hayden Smith, PhD, MPH
