title: Peer mentoring: evaluation of a novel programme in paediatrics.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mentoring is important for personal and professional development of doctors. Peer mentoring is a core skill in the UK paediatric postgraduate curriculum. However, there is a paucity of peer mentoring programmes aimed at postgraduate doctors in training (postgraduate trainees), and there are no such schemes within paediatrics described in the literature. We developed a regional peer mentoring programme for postgraduate trainees in paediatrics to assess demand and need for peer mentoring and to explore the benefits for both peer mentees and mentors.
  Junior postgraduate trainees, randomly selected from volunteers, received peer mentoring from more senior trainees for 1 year. Peer mentors were selected by competitive application and undertook tailored training followed by an experiential learning programme. The programme was evaluated using structured questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  90% (76/84) of first-year postgraduate trainees in paediatrics applied to participate, demonstrating high demand. 18 peer mentor-mentee pairs were matched. Peer mentors and mentees reported high satisfaction rates, acquisition of new and transferable skills and changed behaviours. All peer mentors intended to use the skills in their workplace and, later, as an educational supervisor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our programme represents a novel approach to meeting the demonstrated demand and the curriculum requirement for peer mentoring, and enabled peer mentors and mentees to develop a valuable and versatile skill set. To our knowledge, it is the first such programme in paediatrics and provides a feasibility model that may be adapted locally to allow education providers to offer this important experience to postgraduate trainees.
authors.affiliation: London Specialty School of Paediatrics, , London Deanery, , London, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Eisen
authors.forename: Seema
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sukhani
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brightwell
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stoneham
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D004739:England; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D010379:Peer Group; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation
keywords: General Paediatrics; Medical Education