Gender differences in the ability to identify a mentor at morning report: a multi-institutional survey.
BACKGROUND
Prior studies have shown that mentors are very important for career development of physicians, and that many female physicians have not had a mentor during their training. However, little is known about the availability of mentors for residents.


OBJECTIVE
To identify resident and program characteristics that were associated with the ability to identify a potential mentor at resident morning report.


METHODS
We performed a cross-sectional survey of 356 internal medicine residents at a convenience sample of 13 residency programs. The instrument included questions about demographic characteristics, subspecialty fellowship plans, and ability to identify a potential mentor at morning report during the previous 6 months.


RESULTS
Seventy-three percent were able to identify a potential mentor at morning report within the previous 6 months (63% of women vs. 79% of men). Among residents planning on entering general internal medicine, women were less likely than men to be able to identify a potential mentor (55% vs. 77%). The likelihood of identifying a mentor varied between the different programs, with a range from 27% to 89%.


CONCLUSIONS
Many residents could identify a potential mentor at morning report, although there was a wide variability between programs. Female residents who were going into general internal medicine were less likely than their male colleagues to find a potential mentor. Medical educators should ensure that all residents have exposure to potential generalist mentors.
Reisman
Anna B
AB
Yale University School of Medicine, Section of General Internal Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.
Gross
Cary P
CP
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000193:education*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology; D012737:Sex Factors