Development of a formalized, multifaceted mentorship program in physical medicine and rehabilitation residency education.

ABSTRACT Mentorship in medicine has long been a vital component to the training, development, and career advancement of physicians. While optimal strategies for facilitating mentorship relationships are unknown, it is recognized that establishing a formalized mentorship program within residency training may augment mentor-mentee pairing, improve overall trainee experience, and enhance resident perception of strong mentoring relationships. A formalized mentorship program was successfully developed in a Canadian physical medicine and rehabilitation residency program, including innovations such as near-peer self matching, a needs assessment survey, a speed dating event, formation of 'link groups' and 'fireside chats' with faculty members. This approach may serve as a guide for other medical education and residency programs seeking to implement a similar concept.