A Pilot Study to Introduce Mentoring to 1st-year Medical Students at a Private Medical College in Eastern India

Abstract

Background: The stress of a difficult medical course, emotional immaturity, and acclimating to unfamiliar surroundings is all issues that new medical students encounter. As a result, a mentorship program was established to assist them in their academic and personal growth. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study is to introduce and assess mentors’ and mentees’ perspectives on mentorship programs. Materials and Methods: For First Professional students in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (M.B.B.S) degree, a mentorship program was created. To sensitize the professors, a 1-day session was held. Mentors were volunteered by 17 faculty members from diverse areas. Following the sensitization, 150 MBBS first professional students were randomly assigned to these faculty members. The mentor organized a regular visit with the mentees. A validated and semi-structured feedback questionnaire was used to assess mentors and mentees’ perceptions at the conclusion of the mentorship program. Students participated in a focus group discussion. Results: The feedback survey was completed by 114 students and 17 faculty members. This program was beneficial to the mentors’ self-improvement, teaching, and communication abilities. The majority of mentees reported that the program aided them emotionally and academically. It was an excellent technique to foster a positive student–teacher relationship. The mentorship program was well received by both mentors and mentees. Conclusion: Mentorship programs, which were recently implemented, aided in the overall growth of mentors and mentees. This program was highly well received by both mentors and mentees, who saw it as an effective intervention.