Transformative Student-led Hybrid Mentorship Model Empowering Health Sciences Undergraduates and Young Professionals in Uganda: A MedXMentor Case Study

Abstract

Background Students pursuing health-related courses need access to mentorship and its benefits during their formative academic and career states. Despite a few assertive health professions students knowing about mentorship, they also need help leveraging the various benefits of mentorship. The lack of a structured platform to ease access to mentorship. A student-led initiative dubbed Medxmentor was established to address these gaps. This study assessed the effectiveness of this hybrid mentorship initiative in enhancing research capacity and professional development among undergraduate health sciences students and young professionals in Uganda. Methods Both quantitative and qualitative methods were utilized to obtain data. The Kirkpatrick Model of Evaluation was utilized to assess mentees' emotions, learning, and behavior using Google Form questionnaires, feedback forms, and mentoring logs. Study results were summarized using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results There were 80 mentees recruited, with 48 (60%) qualifying for one-to-one mentorship and the rest participating in group mentorship sessions. The program had 24 mentors, primarily from the medical profession. The program also had three non-Ugandan mentors. Eight online sessions were organized for group mentorship between April and September 2022, with an average attendance of 52% of mentees. Three workshops were organized; a boot camp, grant writing, and soft skills. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of the project planning webinar attendees reported an increased understanding of the basics of project management. Four themes emerged on Mentee experiences; Mentor engagement, Goal oriented study, Skills and professional development, and High yield mentor-mentee engagements. Conclusion & Recommendations A structured mentorship program provides a solution to access mentorship and addresses the needs of mentors and mentees. The Medxmentor program leveraging online platforms provides a broad niche of mentor resources and an efficient structure that can be easily replicated in various medical schools in low-resource settings.