Implementing a Near-Peer Mentorship Program to Enhance Surgical Research Among Medical Students: A Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Evaluation.

IF 1.7 Q2 EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES
Advances in Medical Education and Practice Pub Date : 2025-09-12 eCollection Date: 2025-01-01 DOI:10.2147/AMEP.S539338
Ivaan Pitua, Ketra Venesa Nandera, Ronaldine Anne Atukunda, Raafidha Raizudheen, Kiragga Denis Lwembawo, Mark Fedrick Muyanja, Maria Gabriella Nampiinga, Musfira Abidha, Kim Andrew Otto, Dickens Kamugisha, Misba Noori, Brian Kasagga, Felix Bongomin, Vivian Valin Akello
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Research is vital in medical education, fostering evidence-based practice and professional growth. However, medical students in low- and middle-income countries, such as Uganda, face significant barriers to research participation, including limited mentorship and resources. At Makerere University, these challenges impede surgical research output among students. Near-peer mentorship programs (NPMPs) offer a promising solution by leveraging senior students and residents to guide peers, enhancing research skills and productivity. This study implements and evaluates an NPMP within the Makerere University Surgery Society (MUSS) to boost student-led surgical research.

Methods: A mixed-methods implementation research design, guided by the RE-AIM Framework, will assess the NPMP over 12 months at Makerere University College of Health Sciences. The program involves 120 participants: 15 surgical residents mentoring 30 senior students (Years 3-5), who mentor 75 junior students (Years 1-5). Convenience and purposive sampling will recruit participants. Quantitative data (surveys, logs) will measure reach, effectiveness (research output, competency), adoption, implementation, and maintenance. Qualitative interviews with 25 participants will explore feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability. Data analysis includes descriptive/inferential statistics and thematic analysis. This protocol has been approved by the Mulago Hospital Research and Ethics Committee (Protocol Approval Number MHREC 2931).

Discussion: The NPMP aims to increase surgical research output, improve skills, and establish a sustainable mentorship culture within MUSS. By addressing mentorship gaps, it could enhance student engagement and offer a scalable model for resource-limited settings. Limitations include the lack of a control group and potential selection bias. This implementation research aims to establish a scalable model rather than prove direct causality in this initial phase.

Abstract Image

实施近同伴指导计划以加强医学生的外科研究:一种混合方法评估方案。
背景:研究在医学教育中至关重要,促进循证实践和专业成长。然而,乌干达等低收入和中等收入国家的医科学生在参与研究方面面临重大障碍,包括指导和资源有限。在马凯雷雷大学,这些挑战阻碍了学生的外科研究成果。近同伴指导计划(npmp)提供了一个很有前途的解决方案,通过利用高年级学生和住院医生指导同伴,提高研究技能和生产力。本研究在Makerere大学外科学会(MUSS)内实施并评估了NPMP,以促进学生主导的外科研究。方法:在RE-AIM框架的指导下,采用混合方法实施研究设计,对Makerere大学健康科学学院的NPMP进行为期12个月的评估。该项目涉及120名参与者:15名外科住院医师指导30名高年级学生(3-5年级),后者指导75名低年级学生(1-5年级)。方便和有目的的抽样将招募参与者。定量数据(调查、日志)将度量范围、有效性(研究产出、能力)、采用、实现和维护。对25名参与者进行定性访谈,探讨可行性、可接受性和可持续性。数据分析包括描述性/推断性统计和专题分析。本方案已获得Mulago医院研究和伦理委员会批准(方案批准号MHREC 2931)。讨论:NPMP旨在增加外科研究产出,提高技能,并在MUSS内建立可持续的导师文化。通过解决导师之间的差距,它可以提高学生的参与度,并为资源有限的环境提供可扩展的模式。局限性包括缺乏对照组和潜在的选择偏差。这个实施研究的目的是建立一个可扩展的模型,而不是在这个初始阶段证明直接的因果关系。
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来源期刊
Advances in Medical Education and Practice
Advances in Medical Education and Practice EDUCATION, SCIENTIFIC DISCIPLINES-
CiteScore
3.10
自引率
10.00%
发文量
189
审稿时长
16 weeks
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