Mechanisms of Change: Qualitative Analysis of a Group Peer Mentoring Intervention for Academic Medicine Research Faculty

Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions (02/05/26) Laird, Lance D.; Bloom-Feshbach, Kimberly; Bokhour, Barbara; et al.

A complex group peer-mentoring intervention fostered meaningful, positive shifts in mid-career faculty by activating four interconnected mechanisms, new research shows. The year-long intervention, from the C-Change Mentoring & Leadership Institute, helped to effect changes by building a psychologically safe and affirming group culture, prompting deep self-reflection, cultivating empathic relationships through shared life experiences, and helping participants envision future success by aligning personal values with structured career planning. Through ethnographic observations, participant writings, and interviews, researchers found that these functions — delivered via participatory activities, storytelling, and structured stepwise short and long-term career planning — collectively reshaped participants' attitudes, practices, and sense of professional direction. This successful mentoring experiment of learning and career development in a changed culture provides a blueprint for broader culture change in academic medicine that must honor values, encourage reflective practice, team building, and relational leadership in career development," the authors conclude.

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