Objective/ Background: Given the competitive nature of the residency match, the application process can be a time of uncertainty and stress for medical students. There is currently no national standard for advising medical students, despite the demonstrated benefit of mentorship. Our objective is to generate discussion regarding successes and pitfalls of creating structured mentorship programs for medical students applying into Ob/Gyn residency.
Methods: Discussion points include assessing the needs of individual institutions, identifying existing resources, and describing specific program elements that have been successfully implemented at participants’ institutions. Participants will create a blueprint for implementing a structured mentorship program at their own institution.
Results: Students in specialties with structured advising programs feel more supported throughout the match process.
Conclusion/ Discussion: Literature suggests that many students meet their mentors through clinical rotations or research, however, the socioeconomic, gender or racial identities of individual students may afford privileged access to these opportunities while denying others. Creating a structured mentorship program ensures that all students benefit from the advice and guidance of a longitudinal mentor during a critical time of personal growth and professional development. Further, creating equitable opportunities for medical students applying into OBGYN will help to create a future where our field is truly representative of the patient populations that we serve.
Topics: Faculty Development Seminar, 2024, Student, Resident, Faculty, Residency Director, Systems-Based Practice & Improvement, UME, General Ob-Gyn,
