Mentoring Program ‘lays groundwork for a great experience’

Dr Damian Gill hasn’t always managed to get the most out of his mentorship experiences, but since joining the RACGP Mentoring Program that’s all changed.

‘As a junior doctor in training, you’re offered opportunities for mentoring formally and informally, and many of those opportunities haven’t quite worked for me, but this one really has,’ he told newsGP.

‘There was a lot of effort put into laying the groundwork for a great mentoring experience and good mentoring outcomes – going into the theory of mentoring; what are you really trying to get out of it?’

The New South Wales GP became an RACGP Fellow in March of last year, and joined the Mentoring Program soon after.

‘Now I’ve been able to explore all kinds of different skills, and volunteer work, and it’s really helped guide the early stages of my career,’ he said.

‘In summary, it exceeded my expectations.’

The RACGP Mentoring Program is now open for applications to both mentors and mentees, closing 31 May.

The eight-month program surveys and connects mentee–mentor pairs, ensuring both sides can meet their goals through the exchange, and providing a supportive space to reflect and problem solve.

Dr Gill was matched with fellow Sydney-based GP Dr Sarah Bird, who said she had been fortunate to benefit from her own mentors throughout her career and is now enjoying the chance to pay that forward.

‘There’s a joy in giving back to my profession at this stage in my career. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity to get to know my mentees better, to learn from them as much as they from me, and to reflect upon the gains over time,’ Dr Bird told newsGP.

‘It’s also a great way to combat burnout.’

Many GPs are aware of the benefits that a mentee–mentor relationship can have for both parties. A recent newsGP poll shows 74% of GP respondents feel that mentoring is ‘very important’ in supporting GPs throughout their career.

Dr Gill notes the sustainable structure of the Mentoring Program is particularly valuable to creating a good mentor relationship, with regular check-ins, meetings with other mentees, and clear guidance on how to get the most out of membership.

He said the guidance provided by mentorship was especially valuable to new GPs like himself, who might feel a sense of isolation as they move into independent practice.

‘Many people find themselves in a position where they’ve trained for so long, and when they finish that training then they’re thinking … what now?’ he said.

‘You have colleagues and supervisors to talk to, but there’s not always time during the day to sit down and have a yarn about everything. The business of things, or how do I get the most out of general practice, these aren’t necessarily easy to squeeze into the day-to-day.

‘Being able to talk to someone at a different point in their career – not in your practice, with a different set of eyes – helped me consider different perspectives and learn how others do things.

‘When you start your career, there’s a lot of uncertainty for how the next 30 or 40 years are going to be, that’s a pretty big thing to consider. A relationship with a mentor can make that a little less daunting.’

Both being based in Sydney, and sharing the same sphere of practice, Dr Gill said that although the mentorship had formally concluded, he and Dr Bird will continue the ‘tremendously valuable’ relationship.

Dr Bird is confident mentorship has the power to challenge self-imposed professional constraints, and with the right support could enable more GPs to extend themselves, at any stage of their career.

‘As we are often told, we grow the most just outside of our comfort zone, and mentorship makes this even more possible,’ she said.

‘Please consider joining the RACGP Mentorship Program as a mentee or mentor. The commitment is no more than one to two hours per month, and your support would be valuable to the growth and sustainability of the program.

‘In return, you will benefit in more ways than you can imagine. Give it a go!’

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