Table 1.

Potential benefits of and challenges to mentorship

POTENTIAL BENEFITSPOTENTIAL CHALLENGES

  • Increased confidence in personal and professional success

  • Networking opportunities

  • Career coaching and support

  • Research guidance

  • Time commitment required

  • Unclear on roles and expectations

  • Personality differences

  • Perceived (or real) competition with mentor

  • Conflict of interest

  • Lack of experience from mentor

  • Confidentiality concerns

  • Data from MacLeod,3 Straus et al,4 and Taherian and Shekarchian.5