In 2022 the NT Regional Training Hub sought expressions of interest from Darwin based medical clinicians from all levels of post graduate experience, to join our 2022 pilot mentoring program as a mentor, mentee, or both.
The content of the program was co-developed with local practitioners and the Pam McLean Centre, a leader in clinical communication skills training. It encouraged an informal, flexible approach featuring professional development workshops in combination with more traditional mentoring networking opportunities where participants can learn from each other and create mutually beneficial organic relationships.
The benefits for all participants included:
- content that was focused on the needs of NT clinicians and of our unique geographical and population context
- creation of social and professional networks
- encouragement of self-driven learning, facilitation of broad transfer of knowledge, and the delivery of relevant and timely skill development
- opportunities to attend professional development workshops focussing on advanced communication skills, leadership, change management, resilience, and goal setting
- assistance with career pathway planning
- knowing how to approach and to get the most out of a mentoring relationship
- an increase of self-confidence and self-awareness within professional relationships
Mentors:
- buillt upon their current leadership skills
- learnt skills relevant to the fostering of mentoring relationships and the creation of safe learning spaces
- cultivated self-satisfaction obtained from contributing to the progression and wellbeing of others
- had an opportunity to self-reflect, share skills and experiences
- had the ability to share their knowledge in structured and unstructured environments
- had an avenue to share their passions
- had an opportunity to examine what type of legacy that they would like to leave
Relationship roles that were explored and fostered throughout the program will include those of:
- mentorship
- guide/preceptor
- collaborator
- role model
Participants received priority access to 6 professional development workshops, mentoring resources, and an online community. The online community of practice provided a forum for participants to share experiences, resources, or approaches utilised, and to seek advice on any challenges or successes that they were having within their mentoring relationships.
Each workshop ran from 4.30pm until 8.30pm at the Flinders University Royal Darwin Hospital Campus, with catering provided.
The workshops included:
