A phenomenological study of a formalized mentorship program assessing the experiences of undergraduate medical students at the Public Medical University in south Punjab, Pakistan

Background: Objective of this study was to explore the lived experiences of mentees, or undergraduate medical students, in a mentorship program introduced at a public medical university in south Punjab. Methods: A qualitative phenomenological research design was employed from September 2023 to June 2024. 110 undergraduate students who were part of a purposive sample provided the data. One-on-one, semi-structured interviews were carried out using an approved interview guide. The audio recordings of the interviews were appropriately transcribed. Because the data was sensitive, participants were assured of confidentiality and anonymity. After performing a manual thematic analysis, the authors agreed on the themes and subthemes. Results: Data analysis revealed four themes and ten subthemes. The psychosocial results of the mentorship program, including personal and professional growth and moral, psychological, and emotional support, were well-received by the participants mentees described mentors as their finest guides. Mentors also guided on Islam, case studies, and research methods. Mentors help mentees find solutions to their difficulties. The mentees made insightful recommendations on how to improve the current mentoring program. These included scheduling one-on-one mentoring sessions, offering career guidance, employing committed employees, and demanding verbal feedback from mentees assessing their mentors. Conclusions: The structured mentoring program was deemed satisfactory by the majority of mentees. Every medical student's personal and professional development is the main goal of mentoring. Mentees’ comments are helpful, but other ways to address personal or professional issues are needed.