Mentoring portfolio use in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education

Abstract

Aim: Mentoring is widely acknowledged as being crucial for portfolio learning. The aim of this study is to examine how mentoring portfolio use has been implemented in undergraduate and postgraduate settings.

Method: The results of interviews with six key persons involved in setting up portfolio use in medical education programmes were used to develop a questionnaire, which was administered to 30 coordinators of undergraduate and postgraduate portfolio programmes in the Netherlands and Flanders.

Results: The interviews yielded four main aspects of the portfolio mentoring process – educational aims, individual meetings, small group sessions and mentor characteristics. Based on the questionnaire data, 16 undergraduate and 14 postgraduate programmes were described. Providing feedback and stimulating reflection were the main objectives of the mentoring process. Individual meetings were the favourite method for mentoring (26 programmes). Small group sessions to support the use of portfolios were held in 16 programmes, mostly in the undergraduate setting. In general, portfolio mentors were clinically qualified academic staff trained for their mentoring tasks.

Conclusion: This study provides a variety of practical insights into implementing mentoring processes in portfolio programmes.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Hanke Dekker

HANKE DEKKER, Msc, is an Educationalist, Center for Research and Innovation in Medical Education, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.

Erik Driessen

ERIK DRIESSEN, PhD, is an Educationalist, Assistant Professor of the Department of Educational Development and Research, Maastricht University, the Netherlands.

Edith Ter Braak

EDITH TER BRAAK, MD, PhD, is a Clinician (internist/endocrinologist), Vice Director of the resident training program for Internal Medicine and Professor of Medical Education, University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Fedde Scheele

FEDDE SCHEELE, MD, PhD is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology with a special assignment in the modernisation of medical curricula, Department of Medical Education, VU University Medical Center Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Joris Slaets

JORIS SLAETS, MD, PhD, is a Professor of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.

Thys Van Der Molen

THYS VAN DER MOLEN, MD, PhD, is a Professor in Primary Care Respiratory Medicine, Department of General Practice, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.

Janke Cohen-Schotanus

JANKE COHEN-SCHOTANUS, PhD, a Professor in Research in Medical Education and Head of the Center for Research and Innovation in Medical Education, University of Groningen and University Medical Center Groningen, the Netherlands.All authors were involved in activities of the Special Interest Group Portfolios of the Netherland Association for Medical Education and approved the final draft of this manuscript.