Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: Results From the Radiation Oncology Academic Development and Mentorship Assessment Project (ROADMAP)

Abstract

Purpose To analyze survey information regarding mentorship practices and cross-correlate the results with objective metrics of academic productivity among academic radiation oncologists at U.S. ACGME-accredited residency training programs. Methods and Materials An IRB-approved survey for the Radiation Oncology Academic Development and Mentorship Assessment Project (ROADMAP) was sent to 1031 radiation oncologists employed at an ACGME-accredited residency training program and administered using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap). Data collected included demographics, presence of mentorship as well as the nature of specific mentoring activities. Productivity metrics, including number of publications, number of citations, h-index, and date of first publication were collected for each survey respondent from a commercially available online database (Web of Science, Thompson Reuters- v5.9), and m-index was calculated. Results 158 academic RO completed the survey, 96 of whom reported having an academic/scientific mentor. Faculty with a mentor had higher numbers of publications, citations, h- and m-indices. Differences in gender and race/ethnicity were not associated with significant differences in mentorship rates, but those with a mentor were more likely to have a Ph.D. and were more likely to have more time protected for research. Bivariate fit regression modeling showed a positive correlation between a mentor’s h-index and their mentee’s h-index (R2=0.16; p<0.001). Linear regression also showed significant correlates of higher h-index, in addition to having a mentor (p=0.001), included a longer career duration (p<0.001), and having fewer patients on treatment (p=0.02). Conclusions Mentorship is widely believed to be important to career development and academic productivity. These results emphasize the importance of identifying and striving to overcome potential barriers to effective mentorship.

Stress, satisfaction and burnout amongst Australian and New Zealand radiation oncologists

“…33 Other studies have pointed out that although these measures might improve life satisfaction, they might not necessarily prevent burnout. 34 The prevalence of stress and burnout among radiation oncologists poses the question whether they should undergo regular screening, especially because medical practitioners, in general, often do not seek help for themselves.…”

Academic career development: A review and research agenda

“…surveyed female surgeon academics and found positive relationships between having an informal mentor and various indicators of objective career success, such as number of publications and research awards obtained. Similarly,Holliday, Jagsi, Thomas, Wilson, and Fuller (2014) reported positive associations between mentoring received and various productivity metrics (e.g., number of publications and citations, h-index) in a sample of academic radiation oncologists. Similarly, a mixed-methods study found that mentoring contributed to the professional advancement of academic protégés through opportunities for career and leadership development, learning from a role model, building professional relationships, and increased job satisfaction(Ambler, Harvey, & Cahir, 2016).…”

Subjektiv erlebte Arbeitsbelastung in der Weiterbildung Allgemeinmedizin und Anforderungen an ein Kompetenzzentrum – eine Querschnittsstudie aus Sachsen-Anhalt

“…Durch Mentoren-Programme können die ÄiW sowohl auf akademischer als auch psychosozialer Ebene unterstützt und interpersonelle und kommunikative Fähigkeiten verbessert werden [21]. Gutes Mentoring in Kombination mit einer gut organisierten Weiterbildung durch das Kompetenzzentrum kann zur Verkürzung der Weiterbildungsdauer führen [13] und entscheidenden Einfluss auf Karriereentwicklung und akademische Leistungen nehmen [22]. Nach Hoffmann et al [23] beziehen sich die häufigsten an einen Mentor gestellten Fragen auf die Themen Stellengesuche, Bewerbung, Arbeitsverträge, Weiterbildungsrichtlinien, aber auch zu 10 % auf individuelle Schwierigkeiten und Probleme.…”