Table 3.
Perceived problems related to mentoring program activities and an experienced sense of failure as mentors (n = 33 respondents)
| Perceived problems | Experienced sense of failure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Students’ lack of punctuality (e.g. failure to arrive on time) | 27.9% | Facilitating content learning | 22.7% |
| Difficulties related to the extremely open thematic agenda of the course | 20.6% | Assessing and giving feedback | 10.7% |
| Difficulties related to the extremely open (under defined) mentors’ roles | 16.2% | Helping the mentees solve problems in ways that address challenges impacting their ability to achieve goals | 8.0% |
| Setting realistic expectations for the mentees | 8.0% | ||
| Anxiety associated with the perceived responsibility concerning student education | 8.8% | Encouraging reflection on the part of my mentees (students) | 6.7% |
| Ensuring access to appropriate resources to facilitate the mentees’ goals | 6.7% | ||
| Making a commitment to the success of my mentees | 6.7% | ||
| Difficulties related to group dynamics | 8.8% | Being collaborative in the mentoring process | 6.7% |
| Giving information and demonstrating coping methods | 5.3% | ||
| Difficulties in motivating students to attend course activities | 5.9% | Balancing support with appropriate professional boundaries | 4.0% |
| Facilitating my students’ personal and professional development | 4.0% | ||
| Difficulties in increasing student adherence to group work (e.g. in group discussions) | 5.9% | Providing guidance, constructive feedback, and balance challenging and encouraging the mentees | 2.7% |
| Being accepting of the mentees as they are and valuing their individual unique differences | 2.7% | ||
| Discouragement due to perceived ineffectiveness of the mentoring program | 5.9% | Relating and providing wide perspectives on various subjects in broad contexts | 2.7% |
| Being receptive to feedback from my students regarding how I can improve as an instructor and mentor | 2.7% | ||
| Discouragement due to reduced student participation (or poor motivation on behalf of the students to participate in the course activities) | 0 | Serving as a role model to the students | 0 |
| Being accepting, encouraging, and supportive to the students | 0 | ||
| Being receptive to my mentees needing/wanting to find a new mentor if their goals change | 0 |