The influence of mentorship on research productivity in oncology.
BACKGROUND
This study evaluates the impact of mentors in research productivity in oncology.


METHODS
Two electronic surveys were sent out to 1009 oncologists who attended educational workshops between 1996 and 2004.


RESULTS
Response rate was 41.4% (339 of 818). Respondents with mentors are more currently engaged in academic research than those without mentors. Mentorship status did not influence on self-reported publication record or on becoming principal investigators, even when adjusted for other factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Mentorship is valuable to oncologists in enhancing their research experiences. In this selected group, mentorship has effects on current involvement in academic research but not on self-reported publication.
Riechelmann
Rachel P
RP
Department of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Townsley
Carol A
CA
Pond
Gregory R
GR
Siu
Lillian L
LL
D003625:Data Collection; D004526:Efficiency; D004581:Electronics; D006801:Humans; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards*; D008611:Mentors; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D012106:Research / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014481:United States