Identifying the mentorship needs among faculty in a large department of psychiatry- support for the creation of a formal mentorship program

Abstract Background Study aims were to assess the current state and needs of faculty to inform the design of a formal mentorship program in a large academic Department of Psychiatry. Methods A 57- item self-administered online survey questionnaire was distributed to all faculty members. Results 225...

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Main Authors: Mary Jane Esplen, Lisa M. Fiksenbaum, Elizabeth Lin, Shaheen A. Darani, John Teshima, Simone N. Vigod, Nicole Kozloff, Peter Szatmari, Krista L. Lanctôt, Certina Ho, Ivan Silver, Sophie Soklaridis, Jiahui Wong
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Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Medical Education
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06629-y
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author Mary Jane Esplen
Lisa M. Fiksenbaum
Elizabeth Lin
Shaheen A. Darani
John Teshima
Simone N. Vigod
Nicole Kozloff
Peter Szatmari
Krista L. Lanctôt
Certina Ho
Ivan Silver
Sophie Soklaridis
Jiahui Wong
author_facet Mary Jane Esplen
Lisa M. Fiksenbaum
Elizabeth Lin
Shaheen A. Darani
John Teshima
Simone N. Vigod
Nicole Kozloff
Peter Szatmari
Krista L. Lanctôt
Certina Ho
Ivan Silver
Sophie Soklaridis
Jiahui Wong
author_sort Mary Jane Esplen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Study aims were to assess the current state and needs of faculty to inform the design of a formal mentorship program in a large academic Department of Psychiatry. Methods A 57- item self-administered online survey questionnaire was distributed to all faculty members. Results 225 faculty members completed the survey (24%). 68% of respondents had a mentor and reported high satisfaction (mean = 4.3, SD = 1.05) (range 1 to 5). Among those respondents lacking access to mentorship, 65% expressed interest. Open-ended questions indicated that international medical graduates, faculty identifying as minority, women and clinician teachers may lack access to mentorship. PhD faculty felt disadvantaged compared to MD faculty in gaining first authorship (M Non−MD=1.64 ± 0.79 vs. MMD=1.36 ± 0.67; t = 2.51, p = .013); reported more authorship disputes (M Non−MD =1.99 ± 0.91 vs. MMD =1.66 ± 0.76; t = 2.63 p = .009) and experienced questionable scientific integrity concerning colleagues (M Non−MD =2.01 ± 0.92 vs. MMD =1.70 ± 0.81; t = 2.42 p = .017). For both MD and PhD faculty, women were significantly more likely to experience authorship disputes (χ2(2) = 8.67, p = .013). The department was perceived as treating faculty with respect (72% agreed) with 54% agreeing that it embraces diversity (54%). Identified benefits to mentorship included receiving advice about academic promotion, opportunities for career advancement, advocacy, and advice as a researcher, teacher or clinician. Only 26% of mentors received formal training to support their role; 59% expressed interest in education. Respondents supported a more formal, accessible, inclusive program, with training, tools, and a matching strategy based on mentee preferences. Conclusions Challenges and inequities were identified with the department’s current ad hoc approach to mentorship. A limitation of the study was the response rate, while similar to response rates of other physician surveys, raises the potential for response bias. In comparing study participants to the department, the sample appeared to provide a fair representation. The study has implications for identifying the need and design of more formal mentorship programs in academic medicine.
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spelling doaj-art-6e192eed7cf6408aaf806d68c6447ae92025-01-12T12:28:31ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202025-01-0125111210.1186/s12909-024-06629-yIdentifying the mentorship needs among faculty in a large department of psychiatry- support for the creation of a formal mentorship programMary Jane Esplen0Lisa M. Fiksenbaum1Elizabeth Lin2Shaheen A. Darani3John Teshima4Simone N. Vigod5Nicole Kozloff6Peter Szatmari7Krista L. Lanctôt8Certina Ho9Ivan Silver10Sophie Soklaridis11Jiahui Wong12University of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoUniversity of TorontoAbstract Background Study aims were to assess the current state and needs of faculty to inform the design of a formal mentorship program in a large academic Department of Psychiatry. Methods A 57- item self-administered online survey questionnaire was distributed to all faculty members. Results 225 faculty members completed the survey (24%). 68% of respondents had a mentor and reported high satisfaction (mean = 4.3, SD = 1.05) (range 1 to 5). Among those respondents lacking access to mentorship, 65% expressed interest. Open-ended questions indicated that international medical graduates, faculty identifying as minority, women and clinician teachers may lack access to mentorship. PhD faculty felt disadvantaged compared to MD faculty in gaining first authorship (M Non−MD=1.64 ± 0.79 vs. MMD=1.36 ± 0.67; t = 2.51, p = .013); reported more authorship disputes (M Non−MD =1.99 ± 0.91 vs. MMD =1.66 ± 0.76; t = 2.63 p = .009) and experienced questionable scientific integrity concerning colleagues (M Non−MD =2.01 ± 0.92 vs. MMD =1.70 ± 0.81; t = 2.42 p = .017). For both MD and PhD faculty, women were significantly more likely to experience authorship disputes (χ2(2) = 8.67, p = .013). The department was perceived as treating faculty with respect (72% agreed) with 54% agreeing that it embraces diversity (54%). Identified benefits to mentorship included receiving advice about academic promotion, opportunities for career advancement, advocacy, and advice as a researcher, teacher or clinician. Only 26% of mentors received formal training to support their role; 59% expressed interest in education. Respondents supported a more formal, accessible, inclusive program, with training, tools, and a matching strategy based on mentee preferences. Conclusions Challenges and inequities were identified with the department’s current ad hoc approach to mentorship. A limitation of the study was the response rate, while similar to response rates of other physician surveys, raises the potential for response bias. In comparing study participants to the department, the sample appeared to provide a fair representation. The study has implications for identifying the need and design of more formal mentorship programs in academic medicine.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06629-yMentorshipPsychiatry DepartmentPriorities in mentorship; academic medicineInequities in mentorship
spellingShingle Mary Jane Esplen
Lisa M. Fiksenbaum
Elizabeth Lin
Shaheen A. Darani
John Teshima
Simone N. Vigod
Nicole Kozloff
Peter Szatmari
Krista L. Lanctôt
Certina Ho
Ivan Silver
Sophie Soklaridis
Jiahui Wong
Identifying the mentorship needs among faculty in a large department of psychiatry- support for the creation of a formal mentorship program
BMC Medical Education
Mentorship
Psychiatry Department
Priorities in mentorship; academic medicine
Inequities in mentorship
title Identifying the mentorship needs among faculty in a large department of psychiatry- support for the creation of a formal mentorship program
title_full Identifying the mentorship needs among faculty in a large department of psychiatry- support for the creation of a formal mentorship program
title_fullStr Identifying the mentorship needs among faculty in a large department of psychiatry- support for the creation of a formal mentorship program
title_full_unstemmed Identifying the mentorship needs among faculty in a large department of psychiatry- support for the creation of a formal mentorship program
title_short Identifying the mentorship needs among faculty in a large department of psychiatry- support for the creation of a formal mentorship program
title_sort identifying the mentorship needs among faculty in a large department of psychiatry support for the creation of a formal mentorship program
topic Mentorship
Psychiatry Department
Priorities in mentorship; academic medicine
Inequities in mentorship
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-024-06629-y
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