title: How can we build mentorship in surgeons of the future?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the past, surgical training has been based on traditional apprenticeship model of mentoring. To cope with the rapidly changing environment of modern surgery, the mentoring process may require significant modernization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Literature for this review was identified by searching for the MeSH heading ‘mentors’ in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Cochrane Library databases (1950 to September 2010). The literature was reviewed to specifically identify challenges of mentoring future surgeons and to delineate a framework to establish a mentor–mentee relationship by means of a formal mentoring scheme.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multidimensional approaches, models and methods of delivering mentoring are essential to meet the challenges of modern surgery. We advocate a 10-stage approach to implement a formal mentoring scheme at local, national and international levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Formalizing the mentoring process, with local, national and international schemes, will initiate mentoring relationships and cultivate a mentoring culture. Ultimately, this will maintain and improve patient care.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, St Mary’s Hospital, London, UK. vanash.patel06@imperial.ac.uk
authors.forename: Vanash M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Kamran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Penny
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Humphris
authors.forename: Sehlah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abbasi
authors.forename: Hutan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ashrafian
authors.forename: Ara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darzi
authors.forename: Thanos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
mesh_terms: D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008611:Mentors / Q000193:education*; D010820:Physicians; D013043:Specialties, Surgical / Q000193:education*