Barriers to Student Mentorship Pathways Within Physician Assistant/Associate Training Programs: A National Survey

INTRODUCTION: Mentorship is vital for professional development in health care, but barriers limit its potential, such as time constraints, lack of training, and lack of mentors. The objective of this study was to identify and analyze the key barriers to implementing and maintaining student mentoring pathways in physician assistant/associate (PA) training programs. METHODS: Using an internet-based questionnaire, the authors surveyed 332 PA Programs from May 7 to June 10, 2024. Survey items addressed topics to implementing and maintaining formal and informal student mentoring pathways. Respondents were then asked to rank potential barriers to mentoring pathways. RESULTS: The response rate was 96 of 322 (29.8%). Overall, barriers to implementing formal and informal student mentoring pathways were the faculty's lack of time, securing adequate mentors, and a lack of "mentoring" being well-defined. Barriers to maintaining formal and informal student mentoring pathways were similar to barriers to pathway implementation. DISCUSSION: The most important barriers to implementing and maintaining PA student mentoring pathways are a lack of time and program support.