title: General surgical trainee experiences of mentoring: a UK regional audit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mentoring is advocated as an essential adjunct in work-based learning providing support in career and noncareer related issues. This study aims to investigate trainee experiences and satisfaction with mentoring arrangements.
  
  
  METHODS
  E-mail survey of surgical trainees from the East of England Higher Surgical Training Deanery, UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Factors affecting presence of a mentoring relationship and satisfaction with mentoring arrangements were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of all respondents, 62.85% stated that they were not sure or did not have a mentor; 34.29% said that they had had a meaningful meeting with their mentor; 57.14% said that they were aware of the responsibilities of a mentor; 34.29% strongly agreed or agreed that mentoring had been useful; 25.71% said that mentoring had been useful in career development; and 20% found it useful in noncareer related issues. Of those with a mentor, only 31.43% were satisfied with mentoring. Factors affecting satisfaction with mentoring included having had a meaningful meeting, having clear objectives set, and help in job transition and noncareer related issues. Knowledge of a mentor's responsibilities was also associated with satisfaction. The only factor associated with the presence of a mentoring relationship was having a mentor appointed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We advocate the establishment of a mentoring matching scheme for mentors and mentees together with mentor training to improve mentoring provision for surgical trainees.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vascular Surgery, Hammersmith Hospital, London, United Kingdom. usman.jaffer@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Usman
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Jaffer
authors.forename: Aaron
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pennell
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Musonda
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D006113:United Kingdom