Journal of Regional Medical Campuses

A Guided Near-Peer Mentorship Program for Transitioning into Clinical Clerkships at a Regional Medical Campus

Emma Barr

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine; Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center

Steven R. Craig

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Des Moines Branch Campus

Hayden Smith

UnityPoint Health - Des Moines

https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2354-3468

Margurite Jakubiak

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Talia Sopp

University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jrmc.v6i2.4926

Keywords: peer mentorship, mentor training, regional medical campus, professional development, clinical clerkships, medical students

---

Abstract

Background

Transitioning from preclinical to clinical medical education is a significant milestone in medical training; however, it is associated with anxiety and uncertainty about adapting to a new work and learning environment. These feelings may be additionally heightened when students are also transitioning to a branch or regional campus for their clerkship training. A guided, near-peer mentorship program was designed at a regional medical campus in hopes of reducing anxiety associated with transitioning into clinical rotations, as well as teach clinical medical students how to effectively mentor a fellow student.

Methods

This curricular improvement program was developed and implemented at a regional campus of a US Midwestern medical school. A list of 14 topics for discussion was created from responses to reflection questions completed by students participating in the program. These topics were sorted into meeting guides that mentors could reference during three individual meetings with their mentee. Mentors attended a workshop prior to the start of the program to learn more about effective mentorship in medicine. Participants from the first two years of this program were asked to complete feedback surveys evaluating their experience in the program.

Results

Forty-one of 48 potential second-year students agreed to participate as mentees and 40 of 48 potential third-year students agreed to participate as mentors. Ninety-two percent of mentees agreed that participating in the program decreased their stress and anxiety about transitioning into clerkships and 96% reported they would recommend the program to other students. Among the mentors, 93% reported they would recommend the program to other students and 78% agreed that the mentorship skills they practiced during the program are useful in their professional and academic development.

Discussion

With the introduction of this guided, near-peer mentorship program, mentees reported feeling supported in their transition into clinical clerkships and mentors reported feeling prepared to effectively mentor a fellow student. Though such one-on-one programs can be somewhat time-intensive to establish and execute, the skills gained by mentors can serve them for the rest of their careers and the individualized advice given to mentees markedly decreases anxiety in a high-stress transition.

---

Author Biographies

Emma Barr, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine; Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center

Emma Barr, MD is a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Adventist Health White Memorial Medical Center in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine in 2022 with distinctions in both Teaching and Global Health.

Steven R. Craig, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Des Moines Branch Campus

Steven R. Craig, MD is an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Internal Medicine and Assistant Dean at the Des Moines Branch Campus of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Des Moines, Iowa.

Hayden Smith, UnityPoint Health - Des Moines

Hayden Smith, PhD, MPH is a Senior Research Scientist at UnityPoint Health - Des Moines, Des Moines, Iowa, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2354-3468.

Margurite Jakubiak, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Margurite Jakubiak, BS is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.

Talia Sopp, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

Talia Sopp, BS is a fourth-year medical student at the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.