Does a training programme improve the perceived confidence and performance of student mentors in their delivery of a widening access to medicine programme?

Background – Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) uses medical students to deliver widening access to medicine (WAM) interventions. Previously, new BSMS teaching-mentors received no formal training beyond safeguarding procedures. A training programme for new teaching-mentors was designed, aiming to improve their confidence and self-perceived performance. This study explored its effectiveness. Methodology – Participants self-selected into an intervention group (received formal training) or a control group. The intervention group completed one questionnaire either side of receiving training; the control group completed one questionnaire after taking part in two WAM sessions. Four participants were selected for qualitative interviews which were thematically analysed. Ethical approval was received from the BSMS Research Governance and Ethics Committee. Results – Average confidence and average self-perceived performance within the intervention group improved significantly following training. There was no significant difference between intervention and control groups. Qualitative results uncovered three main themes: Need Training, Benefits of Training, and the Shadowing Day. Discussion – It is argued that whilst training is not essential, and should not be compulsory (if mentors are already confident, it does not augment their self-perceived confidence and performance), nervous teaching-mentors do benefit from a training programme, so it should be offered to new mentors, nonetheless.