Abstract

BELLODI, Patrícia Lacerda. Mentors, students, and the undergraduate medical course: a virtuous circle. Rev. Bras. Educ. Med. [online]. 2011, vol.35, n.03, pp.382-388. ISSN 1981-5271.

Background: Mentoring Programs have been developed in several medical schools, but few studies have investigated the mentors’ perspective. Purposes: To explore mentors’ perceptions regarding their experience. Methods: Mentors at a medical school were invited to participate in an in-depth interview including questions on satisfaction, difficulties, and perception of changes resulting from the program. Results: Mentors’ satisfaction and difficulties are strongly associated with students’ involvement in the activity. Mentors believe changes observed in students were more related to life issues; for some mentors, there is no recognition or awareness of the program. However, most of the mentors acknowledged important changes in relation to themselves: as teachers, faculty members, and individuals. Conclusion: Attendance is crucial for both the mentoring relationship and strengthening of the program. Students involved in the activity motivate mentors in teaching and curriculum development, thereby creating a virtuous circle and benefiting undergraduate medical education as a whole.

Keywords : Mentorship; Mentors; Education Medical Undergraduate; Students Medical; Medical Education.

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