Abstract

COLARES, Maria de Fátima Aveiro et al. Group mentoring for junior Medical students: perceptions of mentees and mentors. Rev. Bras. Educ. Med. [online]. 2009, vol.33, n.04, pp.669-674. ISSN 1981-5271.

Entering medical school can be associated with a number of difficulties that can hinder students’ performance. Mentoring programs are designed to help students circumvent difficulties and improve their learning and personal development. The current study aimed to evaluate the perceptions of both students and mentors regarding a recently introduced, group-based mentoring program designed to support first-year students. After one year of regular meetings, students and mentors’ perceptions of the program were assessed by means of structured questionnaires. Response content categories were identified through multiple readings. Both regular attendees and non-participating students had positive opinions about the program. Mentors were highly satisfied at having participated and acknowledged that the program has been useful not only for assisting students, but also for fostering their own personal and professional development. In conclusion, the group-based mentoring program is feasible and can elicit positive views from both men tors and students. In addition, faculty members’ participation as mentors can also be beneficial, since the program appears to contribute to their own personal and professional development.

Keywords : Mentoring; Medical Students; Faculty Development; Medical Schools; Medical Education; Undergraduate.

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