title: Promoting residents' professional development and academic productivity using a structured faculty mentoring program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The importance of effective mentoring in career success is universally accepted but has not been well studied in academic medicine.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose was to describe a formal mentoring program of residents by faculty in obstetrics and gynecology and assess professional and educational outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2006, a formal mentoring program was developed. Faculty and residents were provided instruction. Residents selected their mentors and met regularly. Resident-mentor contracts were signed. Mentors developed corrective plans and monitored residents with problems. Outcomes were measured prospectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-five residents and 18 faculty participated. After 2 years, 7 residents (28%) had scientific publications as compared to 10% in the year preceding the mentoring program. Eleven (44%) presented oral or poster presentations, and 17 (68%) were conducting scientific research. Mentors' effectiveness was rated between 4.3 and 4.7 (Likert scale of 1-5). Three of 4 residents in remediation fulfilled their educational requirements. Four residents noted insufficient meeting time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A simple but well-organized mentoring system can be an effective means of improving resident learning and enhancing their academic portfolio. Mentoring should be strongly encouraged for residents, especially those with specific deficiencies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, California 90048, USA. Dotun.Ogunyemi@cshs.org
authors.forename: Dotun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ogunyemi
authors.forename: M Jonathon
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Solnik
authors.forename: Carolyn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fong
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Azziz
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002140:California; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005260:Female; D006176:Gynecology / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D009774:Obstetrics / Q000193:education*; D011231:Preceptorship