1) Can I sign up as both a mentor and mentee?

Yes, you can. Currently the form requires two separate submissions selecting either mentor or mentee each time, but we are working on stream-lining this process.

2) My role wasn’t specified on the application form, can I take part in the peer mentoring programme?

We are interested in hearing from doctors who are interested in being mentors or mentees. The form was designed to be as inclusive as possible to enable matching between mentors and mentees, but may still miss out on specific roles. Please get in touch with us at loth.peermentoring@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk for more information.

3) How frequent should mentoring meetings be?

Every relationship is different and you will find the right balance as you progress with your mentoring relationship. We suggest an approach of meeting for about an hour every 4-6 weeks.

4) What should I do if there are problems with my mentoring relationship?

Sometimes a variety of things can get in the way of building a successful mentoring relationship.

If appropriate, the first step usually involves exploring any problems in the partnership with each other. Review the perceived problem together, create a safe platform to give open and honest feedback to each other and try and come to a joint agreement.

If you don’t feel comfortable with your mentor or mentee within the first two or three interactions, you are unlikely to be able to develop the relationship further. If this is the case, then please contact our coordinators at loth.peermentoring@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk to discuss a way forward.

We will be hosting development/supervision sessions which are a space to troubleshoot difficulties and progress your mentoring skills to overcome challenges.

If you are concerned about the welfare of your mentee or mentor please contact loth.peermentoring@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk.

5) I am an educational supervisor and one of the trainees I'm supervising is struggling with burnout/progression/unprofessional behaviour, would this programme be suitable?

A developmental peer mentoring relationship can be beneficial for anyone that is open to exploring their goals and furthering their development. However this should be supplementary to formal support structures for trainees, including support coaching and performance support services, which can be accessed through NES: Support for Trainees (nhs.scot) Additionally it may be appropriate for the Occupational Health Department to be involved to provide support (Central Telephone: 0131 536 1135; Email Address: ohenquiries@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk).

Please do get in contact with us directly to discuss further.

1) My mentor is not based at my hospital site, how will I meet up with them?

Mentorship meetings can take place in various formats – in an off-site location at a café, virtually over Microsoft teams etc – and is not restricted to the specific hospital departments or sites. Being matched with a mentor from a different background and clinical experience and receiving reflections from a different perspective can be very rewarding and enhance your development.

2) How do you decide on my mentor match?

We match you with your mentor based on the information you have both detailed in the application form. As this is a peer mentor programme focusing on a developmental mentoring relationship, we will try to match you with someone more experienced but has fairly recently been in a similar professional circumstance as you.

We try to match based on what you have indicated is important to you. We may not be able to fulfill all the criteria as this will depend on available mentors. Having a mentor from another specialty or with different interests out with work can really further your development.

3) I'd like my mentor to support me with a specific project or procedural skill development, can this be arranged?

This type of professional support is more along the coaching relationship than a developmental mentor relationship. Watching our online training materials can give a better idea of the type of support mentors are likely to give.

Your mentor may be able to give their wisdom and experience in a specific area but their role is primarily to guide your own reflective thinking and framing of issues. This relationship is two-way and they are likely to learn a lot about themselves and their own way of thinking through you too.