Effectiveness of a Faculty Mentor Development Program for Scholarship at an Academic Health Center

Authors

Akshay Sood, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USAFollow
Clifford Qualls, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Beth Tigges, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Bronwyn Wilson, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Deborah Helitzer, College of Health Solutions, and Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona, USA

Document Type

Other

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

Introduction:

Mentors are in short supply at academic health centers (AHCs). The effectiveness of training mentors (without preselection for their research skills) to support faculty mentees in scholarly activities at AHCs is not well known.

Methods:

The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center has a two-component program to develop effective mentors for scholarship for faculty mentees. It has an online component supplemented by an optional face-to-face (F2F) component. Study outcomes included changes in self-reported knowledge scores for online users and Mentoring Competency Assessment scores for F2F users.

Results:

One hundred five mentors, mostly women associate professors, used the online program. Online users demonstrated improvement in self-reported knowledge scores. Thirty-eight users additionally completed the F2F program—63% on a clinician– educator track and none with a National Institutes of Health–funded K-award mentee. The self-reported Mentoring Competency Assessment composite score rose from 4.3 6 1.0 to 5.5 6 0.8 (paired t = 7.37, df = 37, P < .001) for the F2F participants, with similar improvement noted in the clinician–educator subgroup.

Discussion:

Users of the online and F2F components of the program improved their self-assessed knowledge and mentoring skill, respectively, demonstrating the effectiveness of the program. Such programs may help AHCs enhance the scholarship and the diversity of their scientific and clinician–educator workforce.

Publisher

J Contin Educ Health Prof

Keywords

faculty mentoring, mentor development, scholarship, clinician-educator, faculty development

Recommended Citation

Sood, Akshay; Clifford Qualls; Beth Tigges; Bronwyn Wilson; and Deborah Helitzer. "Effectiveness of a Faculty Mentor Development Program for Scholarship at an Academic Health Center." (2020). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/hsc_ctsc_trainee_papers/20

Comments

Supplemental tables:

Table E1: Objectives of the faculty mentor development modules

Table E2: Summary of mean self-efficiency scores of users prior to accessing each online module