HMS Scholars in Medicine Program Orientation for Mentors The Role of the Mentor in the HMS Scholarly Project HMS Scholars in Medicine Program

Purpose of this slideshow Introduce faculty to the Scholars in Medicine Program and the scholarly project graduation requirement Provide a framework to develop mutually beneficial relationships with students over time Define mentoring and its responsibilities

The Scholars in Medicine Program Beginning with the incoming class in 2011, every Harvard medical student will complete and write up a scholarly project as a graduation requirement.

Overall Goal of the Scholars in Medicine Program The goal of the Scholars in Medicine Program is to provide every Harvard medical student with a mentored experience of scholarship and the training to accomplish it.

Objectives of a Scholarly Project Introduce all students to the challenges and rewards of developing, carrying out, analyzing and writing up a scholarly project Foster an extended, mutually beneficial partnership between student and faculty mentor Spark curiosity, develop critical thinking skills, and provide the tools needed by future physician-scholars

Characteristics of a Scholarly Project Asks and answers a scholarly question Affords student a substantive, independent role (often within a larger project) Provides mentor a chance to work with a student to develop an idea, vet the student’s funding proposal, mentor the student and her/his work, and approve the product Offers student the opportunity to include personal reflection and analysis of participation in the project

Scholarly work can be done in the following focus areas Biological and translational research Outcomes, systems improvements and clinical epidemiology, Health care policy and health services Medical humanities (ethics, education, anthropology and history) Global and community health Primary care

Duration of a Scholarly Project A scholarly project may start in the student’s first year but most students will carry out their projects in years 3 and 4. It will ordinarily take three to twelve months to complete.

Launching a SIM Project: Three Scenarios First year project: First year students who approach you in the Fall will be looking for a part-time project for the year or over several years Third or fourth year project: Students will look for a project of 3 months to 1 year total as their scholarly project Option for a full year of research usually done between Years 3 and 4

Opportunities for Students to Work on Scholars in Medicine Projects Year 1 Opportunity for part-time projects to grow into SIM projects Year 2 Students are in the Principal Clinical Experience Year 3 Students have flexible schedules and may initiate their scholarly project Year 3/4 Optional fifth year for scholarship, year-long HMS stipend funding available Year 4/5 Complete and write up scholarly project July 1 Deadline for declaring scholarly project concept Feb 1 Deadline for mentor approval of scholarly project report Mar 1 Last date for submission of scholarly project report to SMO

Assistance for Students & Mentors Society Fellows are faculty affiliated with each academic society at HMS. They advise students in their search for projects/mentors, review & approve funding proposals, review & approve SIM proposals Staff at Scholars in Medicine Office (SMO) help implement the Scholarship in Medicine concept, facilitate the student search process, advise students on funding

Mentor Role Help students define clear yet challenging expectations. Guide them throughout the project to help them achieve their goals Provide constructive and timely feedback, treating each student as a unique individual Encourage professional and personal development, helping mentees focus strengths and address challenges Create an ongoing relationship, based upon respect, confidence and comfortable working environment Stimulate an interest in lifelong scholarship

Characteristics of a Good Mentor Makes help available to the student on a regular, ongoing basis Motivates, empowers and encourages Serves as a role model Fosters self-confidence in the student Acts as an advisor, tutor and supporter

Benefits for Mentors Improves career satisfaction to cultivate the next generation of physician-scientists Provides personal satisfaction of being a role model Offers faculty advancement (mentorship is a metric for faculty promotion at HMS) Provides assistance with your own project Offers enjoyment in educating, instilling enthusiasm in students for a particular field of medicine or research

Specific Mentor Responsibilities in SIM Help the student develop a tightly written proposal Sign a mentoring contract to supervise the scholarly project Obtain IRB approval for animal or human studies Contribute to student stipend funding, where possible Guide and advise the student throughout the project period Ensure that the student is integrated into the work of the lab/department/agency Approve a scholarly abstract and scholarly product Ensure student participation in annual Soma Weiss Student Research Day

Mentor/Mentee Contract Signed by mentor and student Lays out mentor responsibilities Help the student prepare a scholarly proposal and vet it Be available to advise the student during the project Provide resources for the project Review the abstract and scholarly product at the end of the experience Lays out student responsibilities Take responsibility for the overall proposal and project Work as a member of the mentor’s team Respect the other responsibilities of the mentor and team members Dedicate significant time and effort to the project Ask for help when needed Adhere to all deadlines concerning the scholarly project

Funding the Student Summer stipend is $4,000, except for global health projects which are based on travel and subsistence. Mentor share is $2,000* Part-time research is funded at $12/hr. for 4th year students ($6 mentor match*) Full-time research (year long) is $24,000. Mentor match may not be required, depending on resources available and the field of study Student may apply for external funding, which, if successful, takes the place of the research sponsor’s contribution Meritorious projects for which mentor or external funding is not available may be funded through HMS on a case by case basis *It is recognized that matching funding may not be available in some project areas (eg: global and community health, ethics or outcomes research).

Format for SIM Written Report Title Page Abstract Table of Contents Glossary for any abbreviations Introduction (background including a statement of the scholarly question and its significance as well as a review of the relevant literature) Section 2 - Methods Section 3 - Results (observations, data analysis) Section 4 - Discussion, Conclusions, and Suggestions for Future Work Section 5 - Summary List of references annotated in text Tables and Figures

Format for SIM Written Report Alternate formats for Students with published work or manuscripts in progress Students with scholarly projects done through other degree programs Creative arts projects

SIM Evaluation Criteria Did the student expend sufficient effort? Does the background section demonstrate quality and relevance of the literature review? Are the design, methods and execution of the project clear and thorough, with acknowledgement of the design’s strengths and weaknesses? Are the statistical significance and relevance of the data addressed, as well as the validity of the conclusions? Are the findings analyzed, reported and interpreted, explicitly stating the significance and suggesting future directions?

Possible Problems & Solutions Student project falls through Mentor helps find alternatives Student not advancing in research Communicate clearly with student about priorities, contact Society Fellow Mentor leaves project Involve Society Fellow Student not writing Provide resources and structure; writing is the student’s responsibility Final product is weak Best to prevent mid-course: monitor & make corrections

Scholars in Medicine Office (SMO) Staff Jeffrey N. Katz, MD, Director jnkatz@partners.org Kari Hannibal, Program Manager, Scholars in Medicine Office kari_hannibal@hms.harvard.edu,  (617) 432-1573 Marcie Naumowicz, Coordinator, Scholars in Medicine Office    marcie_naumowicz@hms.harvard.edu, (617) 432-0951 Stephen Volante, Coordinator, Honors in a Special Field  stephen_volante@hms.harvard.edu, (617) 432-5170 Kerenne Paul, Program Assistant kerenne_paul@hms.harvard.edu, (617) 432-2750