Exploring Mentorship in Military Medical Education: A Comprehensive Mixed-Methods Evaluation

<b>Abstract</b>Introduction: Mentorship plays a vital role in shaping academic success, career development, and personal growth, particularly within the demanding environment of military medical education. The Defence Services Medical Academy (DSMA) in Myanmar introduced a structured mentorship program in 2017 as part of its outcome-based integrated curriculum. However, the effectiveness of this program remains underexplored. This study aims to examine the role of mentorship in supporting the academic and personal development of cadets.Methods: This study utilized a mixed-methods approach. A survey was conducted with 251 mentees to assess their perceptions of mentorship effectiveness across multiple categories, including academic support, career guidance, and personal development. Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews with 8 mentors and Focus group Discussion of 8 mentees, analyzed thematically using MAXQDA Software 2024.Results: The findings reveal that mentorship plays a crucial role in academic success, career guidance, and personal development. Significant challenges include balancing medical and military responsibilities, with female cadets particularly struggling with these dual demands. Communication barriers and mentor availability were also identified as key issues affecting mentorship effectiveness. Despite these challenges, mentorship significantly influenced mentees' career aspirations and personal growth.Conclusion: The mentorship program at DSMA is critical for cadet success, but it faces several challenges that hinder its full potential. To optimize mentorship effectiveness, targeted interventions are needed, including improving mentor training, addressing communication barriers, and increasing mentor availability. These improvements will enhance the overall effectiveness of the program, ensuring it supports the academic and personal development of cadets.Keywords: Mentorship, Military Medical Education, Academic Support, Career Guidance, Personal Development, Challenges, Gender Differences