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Abstract: FR-PO054

Career Development in Nephrology: A Pilot Fellowship Mentorship Program

Session Information

  • Educational Research
    November 03, 2023 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Pennsylvania Convention Center
    Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: Educational Research

  • 1000 Educational Research

Authors

  • Hilburg, Rachel, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Watabu, Laura, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
  • Leonberg-Yoo, Amanda K., University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Background

Mentorship programs can improve career enhancement for trainees and mutually benefit the mentor. Structured mentorship programs in graduate medical education have been shown to enhance the training experience and are met with high satisfaction. We implemented a structured 2-year mentorship program in the nephrology fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania from 2021-2023.

Methods

Between 2021 and 2023, nephrology faculty volunteered as mentors. Faculty created career and special interest profiles. Fellows reviewed faculty profiles and ranked mentor preferences, which program leadership used to create mentor-mentee pairs. Pairs met quarterly throughout the academic year and participated in professional development sessions (Figure). End of year feedback was obtained using anonymous surveys to assess satisfaction and effectiveness of the program using Likert scales (1-6, extremely dissatisfied to extremely satisfied, extremely ineffective to extremely effective). This program was deemed exempt by the University of Pennsylvania IRB.

Results

34 mentor-mentee pairs were created between 2021-2023. 22 fellows (65%) and 22 faculty (65%) responded to anonymous surveys. Average overall program satisfaction score among fellows was 5.0/6.0 (SD 1.1), and among faculty was 3.9 (1.2). Fellows were satisfied with support of their professional aspirations (avg 5.3, SD 1.1). Faculty were satisfied with mentor resources (avg 4.3, SD 1.1). Perceived effectiveness of mentorship among fellows was satisfactory across all domains (Table).

Conclusion

The nephrology fellowship mentorship program at the University of Pennsylvania was met with active participation and high overall satisfaction. Limitations include survey response rates and assessment of attitudes rather than professional outcomes. Based on the pilot program, we will continue to evolve the professional development sessions and faculty resources to meet the needs of the fellows.