The wise counsel of women who have ‘been there and done that’ serves to motivate further clinical excellence and academic endeavours. It is challenging for women in academic medicine to navigate the roles of clinician, educator and scholar. Proven benefits for mentees include higher academic self-reliance with regards to clinical skills, research output and teaching, increased job satisfaction, a sense of empowerment, enhanced networking and career advancement 1, 4, 5, 9.
EYE OF THE BEHOLDER 3 BROWSER PROFESSIONAL
These examples capture the spirit of mentorship, described as “the process whereby an experienced, highly regarded, empathic person (the mentor), guides the mentee for development and re-examination of their own ideas, learning and personal and professional growth by listening and talking in confidence to the mentee” 8. Examples include Yoda and Luke Skywalker, Professor Dumbledore and Harry Potter, Master Shifu and Po, and modern adaptations of Homer’s Mentor and Telemachus. A master and an apprentice” ( Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace). In the words of Yoda, “Always two there are. I had superb mentors at various stages throughout my career, for whom I am forever grateful in their honour, I strive to be even better! Mentorship, both formal and informal, is crucial and rewarding. Sponsorship mentoring is a more recent concept, whereby a sponsor acts as a mentee advocate who provides access to key decision makers, who can in turn assist with professional development 7. Small-group mentoring, especially linked to professional society meetings, can be very helpful. More than one mentor, at various career stages and sometimes from other specialties, might be advisable. We should encourage women to stay in STEM, nominate them as conference speakers, for leadership positions 3 and medical advisory boards 2, and continue to create an inclusive, diverse and equitable research environment. The problem is often oversimplified as a lack of supply and demand representation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), while improving, requires more work 4, 5, 6. I am passionate about increasing women’s participation in research. What can you do to improve this patient’s life or what can you improve on for the next patient? This approach is especially important for patients with rare diseases and should serve as a canvas for creative and innovative thinking. Take what you know, study it again, and ask questions in your clinic, of every patient. I communicate with trainees and mentees the importance of immersion and investment (personal and work) in themselves.
Prioritizing one’s well-being and time with family and friends has become crucial in sustaining a career I freely admit to needing some mentorship myself here… It is well known that work–life balance is important and can reduce burnout. Mentorship can also extend beyond the confines of academia. Do they value flexibility, availability and responsiveness, or do they prefer to be set clear, measurable goals? The mentor should be a good listener, be empathetic and strive for continuous improvement 4, but it is also important to mesh well with the mentee’s goals and personality and to continuously evaluate the relationship 1. When asked what makes a good mentor, I typically respond, “it depends.” What does the mentee want and what are their needs? Some might be searching for a role model to emulate, while others might seek active guidance. Scheduled guidance meetings ensure timely support and constructive feedback along the way. Shared goals as applied to predefined needs, trust and mutual respect, and encouraging self-reflection, are imperative. Being a good mentor takes time (a lot) and dedication, and it is important to be realistic about availability, while continuing to build one’s own professional network 2. A good mentor should have a proven track record of academic success and experience, knowledge of working in diverse and inclusive environments, and the ability to support mentees from various experiences and backgrounds, fostering honest and unbiased collaborations 1, 2, 3. Mentor–mentee relationships involve communication, commitment and clarity 1.
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