Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Medical Education
Date Submitted: Apr 17, 2023
Date Accepted: Aug 8, 2023
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
The benefits of mentoring in oncology education for mentors and mentees: Results from BONUS National Oncology Mentorship Scheme (NOMS)
ABSTRACT
Background:
Oncology is lacking in many medical curricula. Mentoring schemes can expose participants to specific areas of medicine and may address the shortfalls in oncology education.
Objective:
This study identifies motivations for participation in an oncology mentoring scheme and its benefits and limitations to mentors and mentees.
Methods:
The British Oncology Network for Undergraduate Societies (BONUS) launched a national oncology mentorship scheme (NOMS). Mentees (medical student or foundation doctor) were paired with mentors (speciality registrar or consultant), for six months of mentoring. Mentees and mentors were invited to complete a pre-scheme and post-scheme questionnaire.
Results:
For mentees, networking was the primary reason for joining the scheme (38%). Knowledge in all areas of oncology assessed significantly increased during the scheme (p<0.001). Most mentees (91%) and mentors (72%) felt they had benefited from the scheme. Mentees cited gaining insights into oncology, and mentors, opportunities to develop professionally as most beneficial. Whilst mentees did not report any barriers to participating in the scheme, mentors stated lack of time as the greatest barrier to mentoring.
Conclusions:
BONUS’ NOMS is expanding and is beneficial for mentees through increasing knowledge, providing exposure, and careers advice in oncology. Mentors benefit from improving their mentoring skills and personal satisfaction.
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