Mentorship at USC – Cultivating Pearls of Wisdom

	Robert F. Landel, DPT, OCS Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy

It’s no secret that students and residents within the USC Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy have the benefit of being taught by internationally recognized faculty. But the Division’s experts are more than just lecturers – they’re also mentors. And it’s through hands-on instruction and careful guidance from these knowledgeable leaders that students and residents gain valuable insight.

One such authority is Dr. Robert Landel, DPT, OCS who is an Associate Professor of Clinical Physical Therapy.  With experience in both classroom and clinical settings, Dr. Landel views mentorship as a process that hinges on both interaction and self-discovery.

“A mentor should not necessarily be someone who provides answers,” Dr. Landel said. “A mentor should be someone who helps the learner discover answers on their own through a series of queries. This teaches them to be independent in their thinking and learn how to better solve patient problems. Our faculty are good teachers, but they’re also good at getting out of the way,” Dr. Landel said. “We strive to be the ‘guide on the side' not the 'sage on the stage'."

Mentorship within the Division consists of very small group or one on one discussions and relatively informal interactions, typically with patients involved. This combination of the Socratic method and clinical training accelerates learning and helps concepts stick. It also encourages students and residents to think critically about their actions in order to emphasize strengths and eliminate weaknesses.

“We know that reflection is one of the key components to becoming an expert in practice,” Dr. Landel explained. “Accordingly, self-reflection is a large part of what our students and residents are asked to do. It’s also an inherent characteristic of our faculty members.”

Another factor that makes mentorship at USC unique is the diverse expertise and training of the faculty. Students are guided not only by physical therapists, but by researchers and physicians as well, giving them a broader range of understanding across medical fields. Residents also have the opportunity to mentor entry-level students and are trained to speak from a solid foundation that combines theory with clinical application.

In the end, mentorship is not simply a vital component of learning. It’s a crucial part of influencing students and residents to think independently and become better doctors.