title: The influence of longitudinal mentoring on medical student selection of primary care residencies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The number of students selecting careers in primary care has declined by 41% in the last decade, resulting in anticipated shortages.
  
  
  METHODS
  First-year medical students interested in primary care were paired with primary care mentors. Mentors were trained, and mentors and students participated in focus groups at the end of each academic year. Quantitative and qualitative results are presented.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students who remained in the mentoring program matched to primary care programs at 87.5% in the first year and 78.9% in the second year, compared to overall discipline-specific match rates of 55.8% and 35.9% respectively. Students reported a better understanding of primary care and appreciated a relationship with a mentor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A longitudinal mentoring program can effectively support student interest in primary care if it focuses on the needs of the students and is supportive of the mentors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Jacobi Medical Center of Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA. diane.indyk@einstein.yu.edu
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Indyk
authors.forename: Darwin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Deen
authors.forename: Alice
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fornari
authors.forename: Maria T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Wei-Hsin
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rucker
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D010560:Personnel Selection; D011320:Primary Health Care; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013337:Students, Medical; D014481:United States