Mentorship needs at academic institutions in resource-limited settings: a survey at makerere university college of health sciences

BMC Medical Education

Moses R Kamya²  Harriet Mayanja-Kizza²  Charles Namisi²  Simon Luzige²  Fred Nakwagala²  Jim Aizire²  Kenneth Kintu²  Pauline Byakika-Kibwika¹  Damalie Nakanjako¹ 

[1] Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 22418, Kampala, Uganda;Uganda Fogarty Alumni Association, P.O. Box 7072, Kampala, Uganda

关键词: Africa;    academic institutions;    research;    health care delivery;    capacity building;    Mentorship;   

Others  :  1154116
DOI  :  10.1186/1472-6920-11-53

 received in 2010-11-16, accepted in 2011-07-29,  发布年份 2011

【 摘 要 】

Background

Mentoring is a core component of medical education and career success. There is increasing global emphasis on mentorship of young scientists in order to train and develop the next leaders in global health. However, mentoring efforts are challenged by the high clinical, research and administrative demands. We evaluated the status and nature of mentoring practices at Makerere University College of Health Sciences (MAKCHS).

Methods

Pre-tested, self-administered questionnaires were sent by email to all Fogarty alumni at the MAKCHS (mentors) and each of them was requested to complete and email back the questionnaire. In addition to training level and number of mentors, the questionnaires had open-ended questions covering themes such as; status of mentorship, challenges faced by mentors and strategies to improve and sustain mentorship within MAKCHS. Similarly, open-ended questionnaires were sent and received by email from all graduate students (mentees) registered with the Uganda Society for Health Scientists (USHS). Qualitative data from mentors and mentees was analyzed manually according to the pre-determined themes.

Results

Twenty- two out of 100 mentors responded (14 email and 8 hard copy responses). Up to 77% (17/22) of mentors had Master's-level training and only 18% (4/22) had doctorate-level training. About 40% of the mentors had ≥ two mentees while 27% had none. Qualitative results showed that mentors needed support in terms of training in mentoring skills and logistical/financial support to carry out successful mentorship. Junior scientists and students reported that mentorship is not yet institutionalized and it is currently occurring in an adhoc manner. There was lack of awareness of roles of mentors and mentees. The mentors mentioned the limited number of practicing mentors at the college and thus the need for training courses and guidelines for faculty members in regard to mentorship at academic institutions.

Conclusions

Both mentors and mentees were willing to improve mentorship practices at MAKCHS. There is need for institutional commitment to uphold and sustain the mentorship best practices. We recommend a collaborative approach by the stakeholders in global health promotion to build local capacity in mentoring African health professionals.

【 授权许可】

   
2011 Nakanjako et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

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