Developing senior doctors as mentors: a form of continuing professional development. Report of an initiative to develop a network of senior doctors as mentors: 1994–99

Abstract

There were responses from 71 senior doctors, giving a response rate of 86%, and responses from 78 professional stakeholders in 49 NHS organizations, a response rate of 54%. Results indicate that the programmes were highly valued by the participants, particularly with regard to: being part of a network of senior doctors; developing mentoring skills, and engaging in personal and professional development. The most difficult part of the programme was setting up mentoring networks for junior doctors, and reasons included: personal factors, such as levels of confidence in providing mentoring; cultural factors, such as juniors not wishing to be seen to need help, and organizational factors, such as lack of time allocated for mentoring. RECOMMENDATIONS AND ISSUES FOR FURTHER DEBATE: The positive benefits from the scheme raise questions about how to develop mentoring training for senior doctors. Issues include: developing mentors; who needs mentoring; mentoring and the organization; transferability of mentoring skills, and widening the network.