An Experiential Experiment with Mentor Program Pods

Objective
Chronicle the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Experiential Education (EE) Mentor Program evolution from the traditional pairing process to the novel “pod” format, highlighting the positive effects along with the process dynamics for program execution.
Methods
The first iteration of the program lasted 1 academic year and matched mentors and mentees through a formal process, which included a survey regarding their professional roles and interests. The program evolved from the traditional 1:1 or 1:2 pairings to include “pods” of approximately 2 mentors with 4 mentees, based on feedback from participants. Program assessment and changes were performed using participant surveys and feedback.
Results
Survey results showed consistently positive satisfaction with the mentor pod program and that participants were satisfied with the matching process. Matching characteristics that led to higher satisfaction included pairing individuals who had similar skill sets, job descriptions, responsibilities, or who used the same learning management software. Participants also described gains in areas that are unique to EE faculty members, such as administration, preceptor development, and others.
Conclusion
The mentorship pod program described here has demonstrated the benefits of implementing a purposeful mentorship program for experiential faculty members, recognizing the unique challenges they face, along with positive logistical considerations such as meetings continuing if 1 person could not participate at the last minute, and facilitation of expanded networks beyond 1 mentor/mentee relationship. Participants have found value in the program, which can serve as a template for other pharmacy faculty members in specialized roles or EE faculty in other professions.