Mentoring in Hospital Settings: A Systematic Review of Guidance, Care, and Professional Development

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Mentoring is defined as a supportive relationship between an experienced professional (mentor) and a less experienced individual (mentee), influencing skill development, professional confidence, and psychological well-being. This systematic review addresses the question: "Can support from a senior colleague positively impact junior healthcare workers?" METHODS: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, a systematic literature search was performed (January 2004-December 2024) in Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases, yielding 399 studies. RESULTS: After rigorous screening and quality assessment using the QuADS checklist, 74 studies were included in the final analysis. The reviewed articles span various healthcare fields, including nursing, medicine, and midwifery, utilizing qualitative, quantitative, observational, and mixed-methods approaches. Key findings highlight the mentor's role in academic and emotional support; fostering clinical and transversal skills such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving; and enhancing self-efficacy, resilience, and autonomy, particularly during transitional or emotionally demanding periods. Challenges identified include the need for inclusive environments and standardized mentoring models. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, mentoring supports the professional and personal growth of junior healthcare professionals and contributes positively to training quality and clinical work. However, issues regarding equitable access, program standardization, and the need for further research to establish consolidated guidelines remain.