3146 Effect of a Junior Faculty Mentoring Program on Confidence in Targeted Academic Skills

Abstract

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of a junior faculty mentoring program on change in confidence in key academic skills. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: The Department of Medicine at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center enrolled 33 mentees over three years (2015-2018) in a mentoring program that consisted of monthly interactive seminars focused on topics related to building academic careers, works-in-progress, and pairing of each mentee with a mentor. Mentees were asked about their confidence in key academic skills prior to and after completing the program. Confidence levels were assessed on a seven point scale, ranging from 1 (weak) to 7 (strong). Mean confidence levels were compared between pre and post surveys using independent samples t-test. Matching was not accounted for because not all individuals who completed the pre survey also completed the post survey and vice-versa. Of those mentees who completed both pre and post surveys, confidence scores were analyzed using Wilcoxon matched pairs signed rank test, with similar results to those reported here. Each mentoring session was evaluated by those in attendance at the end of each particular session with possible scores of 1 (unsatisfactory) to 5 (excellent). RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: On average the mentees had a fair level of confidence in all nine areas assessed at baseline, with the exception of how to get funding (2.4 ± 1.7). Confidence increased in all areas assessed, and except for how to write a paper (p=.05) all represented a significant increase in confidence (Table 1). Evaluations of each of the mentoring sessions were high, with mean values ranging from 4.3 to 4.9 on the five point scale. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This mentoring program significantly improved mentees’ confidence in identifying their own professional values and goals, as well as knowing how to turn education into scholarship, work with a mentor, integrate work and life, and give a presentation.