title: Developing a mentoring program in clinical nutrition.
abstract: Mentoring programs in nutrition are essential to the survival of clinical nutrition as we know it today. The best method known to maintain an influx of talent to a discipline is by developing an active mentoring program. This paper describes 1 concept for development of a viable mentor program. Mentoring should be flexible and based on mentees' training background. Realistic goals should be set, with written and verbal feedback, to sustain a successful program. Programs should incorporate the Socratic Method whenever possible. Factors that leave doubt about the survival of nutrition as a viable area of focus for physicians include the inability to generate adequate funds to support oneself and limited numbers of mentors available with dedicated time to be a mentor. A healthy, sustainable mentoring program in clinical nutrition will ensure survival of physician-based nutrition programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland,OR 97239, USA. martindr@ohsu.edu
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Martindale
authors.forename: Stephen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McClave
authors.forename: Daren
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Heyland
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: August
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008611:Mentors / Q000193:education*; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends*; D010820:Physicians; D016730:Program Development