UNLOCKING POTENTIAL: EXPLORING THE PERCEPTIONS OF STUDENTS AND FACULTY REGARDING MEDICAL MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

Background and Objectives: Adjusting to the demanding realm of medicine can be daunting. Medical students frequently seek guidance from senior professionals who have undergone analogous experiences and can relate to their difficulties. This highlights the imperative for a structured mentorship program in medical schools. Nonetheless, there is a paucity of literature regarding medical mentoring in the medical colleges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Our study aims to explore the faculty's and students' perceptions of the Medical Mentoring Program at Khyber Girls Medical College. Material and Methods: A qualitative study (phenomenology) was conducted at Khyber Girls Medical College and Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar, Pakistan. Depending on the saturation of data, five Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were conducted with students, and six In-depth Interviews (FGIs) were conducted with faculty. The sampling technique was purposive sampling. The FGDs and interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, analyzed, and themes identified. Results: Four themes were developed from FGDs: evolving into a better version of oneself, opportunities, progressing together, and journeying toward excellence. Three themes were developed from IDIs: strengthening each other, obstacles in the way, and refining the mentorship experience. Conclusion: An effective mentorship program is crucial for fostering bonding between students and teachers, and hence for the self-improvement of mentees. Keywords: Mentorship, Mentors, Students, Medical College