title: Mentorship Programs in Radiation Oncology Residency Training Programs: A Critical Unmet Need.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct a nationwide survey to evaluate the current status of resident mentorship in radiation oncology.
  
  
  METHODS
  An anonymous electronic questionnaire was sent to all residents and recent graduates at US Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited radiation oncology residency programs, identified in the member directory of the Association of Residents in Radiation Oncology. Factors predictive of having a mentor and satisfaction with the mentorship experience were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The survey response rate was 25%, with 85% of respondents reporting that mentorship plays a critical role in residency training, whereas only 53% had a current mentor. Larger programs (≥ 10 faculty, P=.004; and ≥ 10 residents, P<.001) were more likely to offer a formal mentorship program, which makes it more likely for residents to have an active mentor (88% vs 44%). Residents in a formal mentoring program reported being more satisfied with the overall mentorship experience (univariate odds ratio 8.77, P<.001; multivariate odds ratio 5, P<.001). On multivariate analysis, women were less likely to be satisfied with the mentorship experience.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first survey focusing on the status of residency mentorship in radiation oncology. Our survey highlights the unmet need for mentorship in residency programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Gurleen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dhami
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Michael F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Gensheimer
authors.affiliation: Sage Bionetworks, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Trister
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington.
authors.forename: Gabrielle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kane
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington. Electronic address: jzeng13@uw.edu.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States