Received 17 October 2003; received in revised form 22 December 2003
Abstract
Background
Current literature does not define ideal qualities of surgical mentors. We sought to define mentoring qualities desired by medical students in attending and resident surgeons.
Methods
We conducted a survey asking third-year medical students to identify the best attending surgeon and resident surgeon mentors during their surgical clerkship and to explain their selections. Comments were systematically evaluated using content analysis.
Results
The survey response rate was 94.8%. Attending surgeon mentors were described by 84 students; 70 students described resident surgeon mentors. Students most frequently described the “teacher” role for attending surgeons. For resident surgeon mentors, students most often ranked the “person” role. Students prioritized characteristics or attributes within roles differently for attending and resident surgeon mentors.
Conclusions
Medical students' expectations of attending and resident surgeon mentors differ. Emphasis on behaviors consonant with identified characteristics may improve mentoring of medical students by surgeons and increase interest in surgical careers.
aSalt Lake City Veterans Affairs Healthcare System and Department of Surgery, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 30 N. 1900 East, Room 3C410, Salt Lake City, Utah 84132, USA
bOffice of Graduate Medical Education, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, Texas, USA
ABSTRACT