Disclosures: Matthew A. Erby, MD: No financial relationships or conflicts of interest

Objective: Improve academic outcomes, career preparation, mentoring ability, and resident wellness by introducing a peer mentorship program.

Design: Quality improvement intervention measured by resident cohort survey responses. Setting : A major metropolitan physiatry residency program. Participants : All 24 residents were organized into 8 peer mentor groups, each consisting of a PGY-2, a PGY-3, and a PGY-4 resident.

Interventions: Resident led design and implementation of a peer mentorship program with a focus on improving education, well-being, teaching ability, and career guidance. Resident groupings were established based on a survey including questions regarding interests, career goals, and personality types. An introductory lecture was given during the first lecture week of the academic year detailing the goals of the peer mentor groups, expectations, and planned modules for the year. At the end of this session residents discussed their personal goals within the mentor group, arranged methods of communication, and meeting times outside of formal mentorship sessions. Groups were explicitly informed that peer mentors are designed to be an outlet for confidential support. Formal peer mentorship modules were created by the leadership team and interspersed throughout the year. Modules included a research development session, a networking session, an OSCE simulated session, and a career planning session.

Main Outcome Measures: Survey data was collected at the beginning, mid-point, and end of the academic year. Main outcome measures on the survey focused on the effects of the peer mentorship program on personal wellness, professional development, academic success, and networking.

Results: Mid-point survey responses are very encouraging, with over 70% of residents responding “agree” or “strongly agree” that the mentorship program has had a positive impact on professional growth, personal wellness, and education. End of year data is pending at present. Conclusions: The introduction of a formalized mandatory peer mentorship program has been successful in promoting academic success, resident wellness, and career guidance based on resident feedback.

Level of Evidence: Level V

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PM&R Meeting Abstracts - https://pmrjabstracts.org/abstract/designing-and-implementing-a-peer-mentorship-curriculum-in-an-academic-physiatry-residency/