[A «seamless» mentoring model in forming a career trajectory for a medical specialist: from career guidance to professional identity].

The problem of the gap between education and professional development in the medical field is universal. In many countries, young professionals face barriers when transitioning from school to university, from academia to clinical practice, and from residency to independent work. Each such transition is associated with the risk of loss of motivation, decreased professional satisfaction, and, ultimately, attrition from the field. The concept of «seamless» mentoring, developed by the author, envisions the creation of a continuous support system for young professionals (mentees), in which each stage of professional development flows from the previous one and prepares for the next. This model will minimize gaps in professional development, ensure timely support for mentees, and foster a strong professional identity.The goal of this study is to develop an organizational model of «seamless» mentoring that ensures continuous support for healthcare professionals at all stages of their professional journey - from career guidance in school to achieving professional autonomy in the workplace. The information base of the study includes an analysis of data from a survey of educational and scientific organizations subordinate to the Ministry of Health of Russia, conducted by the author at the Federal Center for the Support of Volunteering and Mentoring in the Field of Health of the Ministry of Health of Russia in 2025 (46 educational organizations and 38 scientific organizations subordinate to the Ministry of Health of Russia), as well as expert in-depth semi-structured interviews with young specialists of medical organizations subordinate to the Department of Health of the Russian Federation (more than 10), conducted by the Research Institute of Healthcare Organization and Medical Management of the Department of Health of the Russian Federation in 2024.