Pre and Post Mentoring Comparative Analysis of Academic Performance of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Students in the Subject of Biochemistry

Abstract

Background & Objective: Mentorship plays a significant role for successful academic development and work fulfillment.
The objective of the study was to evaluate the role of one-on-one mentoring sessions in their biochemistry exam
performance compared to their initial term results.
Methodology: Acomparative cross-sectional study was conducted at Rashid Latif Medical College, Lahore, after taking
approval from Institutional Review Board (IRB), to compare the impact of mentoring sessions on the academic
performance of students. Students from 1st year and 2nd year MBBS participated in the study after an informed
consent. Eleven faculty members from biochemistry department, who were trained and had been made aware of the
regulations and protocols of the mentorship program prior to its initiation were involved in the study. An equal number
of students were assigned to each mentor. In addition, the students received training regarding their role as mentees
before conducting the study.
Results: The comparison of pre and post mentoring academic performance of students revealed a significantimprovement
in performance for both below-average and above-average students (p<0.001). Effect of mentoring was also evaluated
class-wise. Mean results of both classes were estimated before and after mentoring. Comparison of means by t-test
revealed a significant rise the score of students after mentoring sessions. A significant association was found between
mentoring and performance of students (p<0.001, χ2=64.490).
Conclusion: Mentoring helps students to improve their academic performance significantly.