How To Mentor

Overview

In this episode, Tiffany talks with Dr. Andy Little and Dr. Brian Milman about how to mentor junior residents and medical students as a resident. They discuss everything from small gestures that make a big impact to having difficult conversations and setting boundaries with mentees. The challenges and rewards of mentoring are broad but worth the extra effort and time. To those mentor hopefuls out there, just remember: Your mentee matters. If you decide to mentor, keep your mentee in mind; mentor with purpose and intention.

Suggested References

• EM Cases Teaching in the ED podcast

• 10 tricks for bedside teaching article covers: One minute preceptor, Snaps, Mini scripts

• University of Nevada: 7 module curriculum online for residents as teachers

• Great mentoring podcasts from any of your favorite podcasting resources.

Key Points

• Prepare and study how to more effectively teach and mentor just like you would for a procedure.
• If you choose to mentor: Decide to do it and have your mentee in mind.
• As a mentor you CAN set boundaries and time frames.
• Remember, you’re in Medicine and Education and the purpose is to help people and impact lives. And as Dr. Little said, usually these moments won’t be when you’re well rested, just home from vacation or when you had a good night’s sleep. It’s when you’re in the grind.
• Being an effective, positive, ‘good’ mentor is not about grand gestures, it’s about being there and showing up and it’s the small gestures that often have the greatest impact.
• Have fun, be nice, and your mentee matters!!!! Remind people that they matter.