The Development and Design of a Framework to Match Mentees and Mentors Through a Systematic Review andThematic Analysis of Mentoring Programs Between 2000 and 2015

ABSTRACT

The need for longitudinal and holistic support of medical students throughout their training has led to the development of formal mentoring programs. Whilst success of formal mentoring programs has been attributed to (a) pairing mentees with trained and experienced mentors (matching), (b) the quality of mentoring interactions and (c) the presence of a nurturing environment, little attention has been attributed to establishing an effective matching process in medical school. We sought, in this review, to redress this gap within the context of matching medical students for mentoring. Modified PRISMA guidelines were followed to guide the review process. PubMed, ERIC, Cochrane Database, OVID and ScienceDirect databases were searched for articles on matching in medical schools and in allied health specialities published between 2000 and 2015.

KEYWORDS:

• Medicine
• mentoring
• matching
• medical education
• mentor
• mentee

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to dedicate this paper to the late Dr S Radha Krishna, whose advice and ideas were integral to the conceptualisation of this study.

The authors would also like to acknowledge the guidance and assistance of librarians Ms Annalissa Chin and Ms Ma Junyan in advising the team on the search strategies for this study and to thank the anonymous reviewers whose feedback and advice have greatly enhanced this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jiamin Hee

Jia Min Hee is a doctor undergoing postgraduate clinical training.

Ying Li Toh

Esther Ying Li Toh is a doctor  undergoing postgraduate clinical training.

Hong Wei Yap

Hong Wei Yap is a doctor undergoing postgraduate clinical training.

Ying Pin Toh

Ying Pin Toh is a community child health physician and an adjunct lecturer of the National University of Singapore School of Medicine.

Ravindran Kanesvaran

Ravindran Kanesvaran is a Medical Oncologist working in National Cancer Centre, Singapore.

Stephen Mason

Stephen Mason is the Research and Development Lead of the Marie Curie Palliative Care Institute Liverpool, University of Liverpool.

Lalit Kumar Radha Krishna

Lalit Krishna is a senior palliative care physician working in the National Cancer Centre, Singapore.