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A mentor is a senior clinician who is available to discuss any career/professional/personal issues or concerns you may have related to emergency medicine training and practice. It is a relationship which is largely driven by the mentee (trainee). The idea is that you pick a consultant who you feel would be a good fit for you (this may be because they have travelled a similar path or because you feel they are on the same “wavelength” as you). You decide the frequency of meetings. The relationship can last as long as you feel it is beneficial and should continue well beyond your time at WDHB and sometimes even into consultant practice.

 

Some trainees find it beneficial to have a mentor and some do not. It is not necessary to have a mentor if you do not feel it would be useful to you. Sometimes you might have a mentor but feel they are no longer a good fit for your current circumstances and wish to develop a new relationship-this is fine too. You are in the driver’s seat.

 

The pathway to establishing a mentoring relationship at WDHB emergency is to contact Dr David Peak (mentor programme lead) if you feel you would like a mentor. He can broker a mentor for you from our consultant pool and can approach specific consultants if you have an idea of someone you feel would be a good fit. There are regional links and it is also possible for Dr Peak to broker a mentor at one of the other regional DHB emergency departments for you. You can also chat to either your DEMT or Dr Peak directly if you would like more information on how the programme works and whether a mentor would be worthwhile for you.

 

Email David.peak@waitematadhb.govt.nz