Peer group mentoring of junior faculty.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this article is to document and evaluate the initiation of a mentoring model for junior faculty utilizing a peer group approach rather than the traditional dyadic model.


METHODS
Junior faculty members in an academic department of psychiatry at Sunnybrook Hospital, University of Toronto, were invited to take part in a peer mentoring program involving evening meetings every 2 months over a 1-year period from 2004-2005. Of the 12 invitees, 10 agreed to participate in the program. The group participants developed the program agenda collectively. Learning objectives as well as a list of topics of interest were established at the inaugural meeting. A focus group was held at the end of 12 months to provide a descriptive, qualitative evaluation. The focus group leader prepared a report based on observations and notes taken during the focus group.


RESULTS
The report prepared by the focus group leader identified six main themes that included: program development, knowledge gains, interpersonal gains, psychological/emotional gains, process of the program, and future directions. The overall response was clearly favorable with a unanimous decision to maintain the group and continue meeting into the next year.


CONCLUSIONS
A peer group mentoring format for junior faculty in an academic department of psychiatry can be an effective model of mentoring.
Moss
Jay
J
Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada. jay.moss@sunnybrook.ca
Teshima
John
J
Leszcz
Molyn
M
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000458:organization & administration; D000328:Adult; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017145:Models, Educational; D010379:Peer Group; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education*; D013192:Staff Development / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*