Abstract:
Introduction:
With the interruption of face-to-face classes in medical schools caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, new first-year medical students at a Brazilian public university showed greater social and psychologic vulnerability due to poorly consolidated ties with colleagues and the academic environment. Intensified stress factors related to adapting to the university environment have been observed, making this group a priority for emergency support and reception interventions. This article reports on a pilot online mentoring project, between teachers and students in a virtual environment, with a view to its subsequent institutionalization as a regular activity. The stages of implementation, development, initial results, and perspectives are described.
Experience report:
The pilot project aimed to operationalize online mentoring between teachers and students, using reflection group dynamics as a methodological strategy. Through social networks and online meetings, students and teachers were invited to participate in the project, which included six teachers, one preceptor, and twenty-nine students, in addition to the coordination team. Online teacher training with theoretical content and simulations was conducted to outline the teacher’s role in the activity, task objectives, framework, and specific characteristics of online mentoring. The final evaluation was performed by teachers and students.
Discussion:
Social distancing measures have evinced the need for online learning and socializing opportunities. Gathering students and teachers in an online mentoring activity has proven to be feasible and its potential to foster a student-teacher relationship based on exchange of ideas, reflection and social support was observed. Increased motivation to join the course was observed.
Conclusion:
Online mentoring has brought benefits to the participants, corroborating the results of experiences in the traditional face-to-face model, and has instigated research that deepens investigation into its effectiveness and relevance for medical training.
Keywords:
Medical Education; Mentoring; Medical Students; Covid-19 Pandemic