Mentorship pilot program in classical hematology shows ‘positive impact’
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An external classical hematology mentorship pilot program appeared to have a positive influence on trainees and their career paths, according to study results presented at ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition.
The year-long program, created by Soo Park, MD, and facilitated through ASH Medical Educators Institute, aims to match fellows preparing for careers in classical hematology with mentors serving as faculty at external institutions, according to Zoya Qureshi, MD, an internal medicine specialist at University of California, San Diego.
“Most mentees and mentors thought this was a good match and would do it again and/or recommend the program to others,” Qureshi told Healio. “Mentees reported increased academic productivity, networking opportunities and increased confidence in pursuing a career in classical hematology.”
Increased sense of community
The mixed-methods study assessed the pilot program based on personal satisfaction, academic productivity, networking accessibility and career development. The program included 35 pediatric hematology/oncology fellows, most of whom (80%) identified as female.
“Mentees who applied were paired with mentors at external institutions who were experts in the field of classical hematology and who shared similar interests. There was an option to participate in a scholarly project. Mentors could also be a resource for career development and networking opportunities.”
Mentees evaluated the external mentorship pilot program through a 34-item survey and mentors completed a 25-item survey to assess the program. The surveys consisted of free-text, multiple choice, and five-point Likert-type scale questions.
Of the 34 mentees and 33 mentors involved in the program, 91.2% of mentees and 78.9% completed surveys. Among those who responded, 93.5% of mentees and 84.6% of mentors considered their mentorship pairing to be suitable. Mentees responding to free-text questions cited “approachability,” “similar personality” and “significant experience in mentoring” as the reasons they were satisfied with their match. Mentors and mentees both noted “similar interests” as another criterion for a good match.
“In some of the free text responses, mentees reported feeling an increased sense of community by being in this program and paired with their particular mentor, as well as an increased sense of personal and professional identity,” Qureshy said.
Improving hematology retention
The majority (64.5%) of mentees stated that they believed the program increased academic activity, and 77.4% believed it facilitated career development. Twenty-three mentees (74.2%) published, submitted or were developing scholarly work due to involvement in the program.
The survey also showed the program enabled 58.1% of mentees to connect with faculty members other than their mentors. More than half of mentees (54.8%) and mentors (53.8%) stated an intention to continue their mentorship beyond the designated time frame, and nearly all mentees (96.8%) and mentors (92.3%) said they would recommend the program to other fellows and faculty members.
“One hundred percent of mentors believed this program would increase retention in classical hematology,” Qureshy said. “There were several notable accomplishments, including awards, conference presentations and original publications, as a result of this program and the mentoring relationship, showing a positive impact of the program even though certain things may be challenging, such as the virtual format, COVID and the demands of fellowship.”
For more information :
Zoya Qureshy, MD, can be reached at University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093.
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Qureshy Z, et al. Abstract 669. Presented at: ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition; Dec. 10-13, 2022; New Orleans.
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