Intangibility of the invisible hand – Analysing the micro-dynamics of novice mentoring program based upon one institutional experience

Abstract

Although mentoring has been regarded as an essential componentin the developmental phase of medical students, it is the nature ofhierarchical relationship and the quality of emotional exchangewhich determine its sustainability. With great enthusiasm, wehad launched our mentoring program for the new entrants of ourmedical school. After an initial faculty development workshopon mentoring, we framed our guidelines for implementing theprogram. To measure the relationship satisfaction on both sidesand self-efficacy, we used relationship satisfaction scales. As thewinds offered us the beginner’s fortune, our program went onwell for the first six months.Slowly, the colour of the mentorship program began to fade.Students began to find excuses for not meeting their mentorsand the sessions truncated into a “hay- how do you do – bye”meetings. Through this commentary, we would like to introspectthe factors which would have dampened the interest. Wouldit be the asynchronous agency support or lack of motivation /self-efficacy or roadblocks in Communication Bridge or lackof adequate matching or lack of need? The outcomes of ourintrospection would be of help for others who run the mentorshipprograms or who wish to install in their own institutes.

Keywords

• mentoring
• medical school
• medical students