Developing a Mentorship Framework for Surgical Residents in South East Nigeria: A Needs Assessment

Mentorship is increasingly recognized as a pivotal element in the professional development, retention, and clinical competence of surgical residents globally. In Nigeria, formalized surgical mentorship frameworks are largely absent, leading to inconsistent training experiences and high trainee attrition. This study conducts a structured needs assessment for developing a surgical residency mentorship framework across teaching hospitals in South East Nigeria. A mixed-method design combining a cross-sectional survey of 95 surgical residents and 40 consultants with six focus group discussions was employed across four South East teaching hospitals. Survey instruments assessed current mentorship experiences, perceived gaps, preferred mentorship models, and logistical barriers. Thematic analysis was applied to qualitative data. Eighty-two percent of residents reported no formal mentorship arrangement. Key gaps identified included lack of career guidance, inadequate operative feedback mechanisms, and poor work-life balance support. Both residents and consultants favored a structured near-peer and faculty mentorship model with monthly check-ins. The study provides a foundation for developing a context-specific surgical mentorship framework for South East Nigeria, recommending that postgraduate medical colleges incorporate mentorship standards into residency accreditation criteria and that teaching hospitals allocate protected time for structured mentoring interactions. Keywords: surgical mentorship, residency training, South East Nigeria, professional development, surgical education