The RCSI mentoring programme is designed to be flexible and the information below is for guidance only.

Intended cohort

In order to maximise the potential of the programme in year 1, prioritisation of ST3 – ST7 trainees should take place.  The programme could expand in the future when a wider group of mentors have been identified

Nature of participation – mandatory versus optional

Mentorship should be offered to all specialist trainees.  There will be an option to “opt out” which will give trainees the opportunity to explain why they have chosen not be avail of mentorship

Specialty Mentorship Lead

Specialty Training committees could have a Mentorship co-ordinator appointed by the TPD and this person will have oversight of mentoring within the specialty.

Matching process

This is a key element of the programme and there are number of options available.

One potential process to that may help to  avoid mentor/trainee mismatch, is for  trainees  to nominate two potential mentors prior to commencing the training programme. Their request could be accommodated where possible. To avoid overload on mentors, each mentor will have a maximum of 3 trainees.

Trainees are expected to keep their initial mentor for the first a set period of time that can be specified by the specialty, the literature would suggest 3 years.

Change of Mentor/Mentee

There may be a point in where a change in mentor could be accommodated, this point will be specialty dependent as trainees wish to be mentored by a mentor aligned to their planned subspecialty.

It is anticipated though the majority of trainees will complete their training with one mentor for the entire programme