Article type
Abstract
Background: For three consecutive years the Cochrane US Mentoring Program, led by the senior officer of the Cochrane US Network, has provided virtual training and mentorship to students and healthcare professionals from underrepresented backgrounds. We built a tool to aid in the revision and scoring of the hundreds of applications received to ensure fairness and transparency in the mentees' selection process and improve efficiency.
Objective: A selection and scoring tool based on equity criteria was developed to ensure transparency of the process and a systematic approach to evaluating Year 3 applicants.
Methodology: The application review tool was developed based on experiences with previous year 1 and year 2 applications and consisted of 1) review of online application forms and submitted personal statements, and 2) an equity evaluation and score (see Appendix 1).
Revision, evaluation, and scoring consisted of two independent rounds comprising all vetted applications. Each application was reviewed and scored independently by two reviewers (Year 2 mentees). The final decisions were made based on the sum of the scores of two reviewers. Reviewers could include comments in the form, and any questions or doubts were discussed together.
Results: We received a total of 189 applications from 50 countries. Of the 49 short-listed candidates, 28 mentees from 18 countries were paired with 17 mentors based on areas of interest and experience. The selection process lasted two months and improved the application review process from Years 1 and 2.
Conclusions: The Cochrane US mentorship program has been able to develop and implement an application selection screening process and tool that prioritizes both equity and transparency, which is aligned with the Cochrane Collaboration’s vision and rigor. Our methodology also created new opportunities for year 2 mentees who participated in the process. We will continue to evaluate and improve the screening tool to ensure equity for future applicants and engagement for past mentees, and this tool can be adapted to other application review processes with one adaptation already underway.
Relevance to patients: Access to the mentoring program, ensuring transparency and equity, will result in better informed evidence-based healthcare decisions for patients.
Objective: A selection and scoring tool based on equity criteria was developed to ensure transparency of the process and a systematic approach to evaluating Year 3 applicants.
Methodology: The application review tool was developed based on experiences with previous year 1 and year 2 applications and consisted of 1) review of online application forms and submitted personal statements, and 2) an equity evaluation and score (see Appendix 1).
Revision, evaluation, and scoring consisted of two independent rounds comprising all vetted applications. Each application was reviewed and scored independently by two reviewers (Year 2 mentees). The final decisions were made based on the sum of the scores of two reviewers. Reviewers could include comments in the form, and any questions or doubts were discussed together.
Results: We received a total of 189 applications from 50 countries. Of the 49 short-listed candidates, 28 mentees from 18 countries were paired with 17 mentors based on areas of interest and experience. The selection process lasted two months and improved the application review process from Years 1 and 2.
Conclusions: The Cochrane US mentorship program has been able to develop and implement an application selection screening process and tool that prioritizes both equity and transparency, which is aligned with the Cochrane Collaboration’s vision and rigor. Our methodology also created new opportunities for year 2 mentees who participated in the process. We will continue to evaluate and improve the screening tool to ensure equity for future applicants and engagement for past mentees, and this tool can be adapted to other application review processes with one adaptation already underway.
Relevance to patients: Access to the mentoring program, ensuring transparency and equity, will result in better informed evidence-based healthcare decisions for patients.