A one-on-one clinical support program pairing our vast volunteer base with colleagues in developing nations to provide personalised and practical support and learning.
Project Leads - Ailsa Cowie and Dr Katja Beitat
Mentorship
One-on-one support program
Thank you for your interest in our program. The purpose of the mentorship program is to provide those in developing nations with one-on-one clinical support from a clinician in a devolped nation through personalised and practical learning.
We have summarised the expectations in fact sheets for mentors and mentees. Please read the fact sheets before completing the expression of interest form.
Each year, we run three cycles of a 12-week mentorship - February to April, May to August, and September to November.
As spaces are limited in each cycle, you may be placed on a waiting list.
Fact Sheet - Mentee
Thank you for your interest in this program. Please read this fact sheet before completing the Expression Of Interest Form.
Purpose
The mentorship program provides those in developing nations with one-on-one clinical support through personalised and practical learning.
Why seek a mentor?
A mentor is a more experienced person who can support your professional development through a series of time-limited, confidential, one-on-one conversations. Whilst a mentor does not replace your manager, or have any authority over your day-to-day work, a mentor can assist your professional development by:
- being a sounding board for ideas helping you decide on the best course of action in difficult situations
- imparting knowledge and skills
- suggesting good resources
- sharing lessons learnt through personal experiences, including mistakes and successes
- offering support, understanding and encouragement in response to another’s challenges.
Duration
12 weeks, with three intakes each year in February - April, May - August, and September - November.
Expectations
Time commitment
A commitment of a minimum 1-2 hours per week is expected. We understand that sickness, family interruptions and work commitments do come up, although we ask you to inform your mentor of any changes to your schedule as soon as possible. It is important to inform us immediately if you are unable to continue in the program so we are able to give your place to someone else.
As a courtesy to your mentor, it is expected that you will attend all meetings on time, or reschedule with adequate notice. Your mentorship match may be terminated if you miss three scheduled meetings.
Proactive mentees
While you will be learning and receiving support from your mentor, it is important to note that it is your responsibility to drive the relationship by providing your mentor with clear guidelines on what you would like to achieve during the 12 weeks.
Sharing information
If you give permission in your application form, your mentor will be provided with information from your EOI form to understand your area of work.
Suggested structure, learning goals and tips
From our initial pilot program, we learned that it is useful to provide a basic structure to both mentees and mentors to mutually align expectations and commitment. Below is a suggested structure. Please feel free to discuss with your mentor and adjust to suit your situation and learning goals.
STAGE ONE: BUILD THE RELATIONSHIP (WEEK 1)
The first one or two meetings are about getting to know each other and discussing how the mentoring relationship will work.
Discussion could include:
- each person's background, experiences, interests
- the expectations of the mentoring relationship, including the frequency of contact and preference for communicating
- the best way to communicate if you need to reschedule a session.
STAGE TWO: SET GOALS (WEEK 2)
This stage is about exchanging information and setting specific goals. Goals can help you gain clarity, get the most out of the mentoring relationship and to focus your efforts. Through discussion, your mentor can help you clarify your mentoring goal(s) and break bigger goals into smaller steps. These could include improving skills in a specific area, finding ways of progressing your career or perhaps seeking guidance on a major decision.
To gain the most from mentoring at this stage, it is important to:
- share your goals and priorities
- understand your strengths, weaknesses, successes and challenges
- help your mentor understand your job and the context within which you work
- discuss decisions you’ve made and actions you’ve taken so far in your career and the reasons why.
STAGE 3: WORK TOWARDS GOALS (WEEK 3-11)
This stage is typically the longest. The focus is on helping you to work towards achieving your goals through guided conversations and sharing good reference materials.
During this stage, take some time to reflect:
- how is the mentoring relationship progressing?
- what has been working well to date?
- what changes or adjustments are needed to the mentoring goals, schedule or the mentoring relationship?
Ways to gain the most value can include:
- active listening
- taking responsibility for your own professional and personal development by clearly communicating these to your mentor
- maintaining confidentiality and respect
- seeking and accepting constructive feedback
- seeing your mentor as a learning facilitator, someone who helps you discuss your goals and provides guidance how you can reach them
- being open to your mentor’s efforts to help you see things differently, try different approaches and to think more broadly or deeply.
- asking your mentor to share successful strategies and resources he or she has used in the past that could help with your goals or challenges.
- reflecting on what has been shared and learned
- letting your mentor know how you are benefitting from the mentoring relationship. This may include sharing concrete examples of how you’ve put your learnings into practice.
Remember that you are the one leading the mentoring relationship, so it’s up to you to schedule appointments and propose an agenda for each meeting. Don’t forget to promptly communicate with your mentor if you are running late or have missed a session.
STAGE 4: ENDING THE MENTORING RELATIONSHIP AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE (WEEK 12)
This stage includes bringing the mentoring relationship to a close, reviewing your initial goals
and exploring the support which may assist you in the future.
Your final discussion could include:
- reflections on your accomplishments, challenges and progress towards goals
- exploring any further support you may still need, and from where or who.
If you need help
Please contact Ailsa Cowie mentor@radiologyacrossborders.org or Katja Beitat katja@radiologyacrossborders.org
Complaints
Please let us know if you are not happy or have concerns with any part of the program. Contact Ailsa Cowie mentor@radiologyacrossborders.org or Katja Beitat katja@radiologyacrossborders.org
Feedback
Your feedback is important. We will connect with you during the program and by asking you to complete a short feedback form at the end of the program. In addition, feel free to contact us at any time with any questions or feedback to Ailsa Cowie mentor@radiologyacrossborders.org or Katja Beitat katja@radiologyacrossborders.org
Certificate
Radiology Across Borders will provide you with a certificate of participation at the end of the program.
Disclaimer
Radiology Across Borders has taken all reasonable care in matching mentors and mentees. Radiology Across Borders cannot guarantee that you will be able to achieve your learning goals and it is not liable in any way for the accuracy or quality of information exchanged between you and the mentor.
Code of Conduct
Please refer to the Radiology Across Borders’ Code of Conduct.
FAQ
Who can apply to receive mentorship?
Any sonographers, radiographers or imaging technologists, doctors, radiologists and nurses, who trained in and are residing in a developing nation can apply to the program by completing an Expression of Interest form on our website.
What is the role and responsibility of a mentee?
A mentee is a professional clinician who is advised, trained or guided by a mentor. A mentee will be motivated and feel empowered to plan and manage the direction of their own professional life. They will initiate the mentoring relationship and will be open to coaching, feedback and guidance by the mentor. They will be in contact with the mentor as established by the mentor program structure and maintain confidentiality within the mentoring relationship.
Will my personal and professional information be kept confidential?
Yes, both you and your mentor commit to keeping any information shared during the program confidential.
What about patient privacy?
As part of this mentor program, you will be discussing various patient cases and we ask you to be mindful of patient privacy. Please make sure that your patient cannot be identified, especially when communicating by email and WhatsApp.
Do you offer mentoring in groups?
Yes. We have had successful groups of 2 mentees. If you have a small group of between 1-4 people interested, we would be happy to discuss the possibility of this. Please inform us of this in your EOI form.
What if I have to cancel a session?
Schedule your sessions far in advance and make them a priority. If you do have to cancel, be sure to inform your mentor promptly and get another time on the calendar immediately. A good mentorship requires reliability and frequent communication.
What if I want to leave the program early?
At any time you can leave the program. Please contactAilsa Cowie mentor@radiologyacrossborders.org or Katja Beitat katja@radiologyacrossborders.org as soon as possible so we can give your place to someone else.
Is my mentor allowed to interpret one of my patient’s scans?
No. This could cause a risk to your patient because your mentor does not have access to all the relevant information. This is a mentorship, teaching program and does not provide clinical supervision or a clinical support service.
If your hospital is requiring assistance in this area, the TIDES program by RAB may be of assistance. TIDES is an official way of providing a second opinion reporting process to developing nations. Volunteer Radiologists provide free reporting for second opinions and in disaster events. The project lead, Dr Glyn Llewellyn-Jones can provide you with more information on whether the TIDES program is available in your workplace. Please contact Dr Glyn Llewellyn-Jones glyn@radiologyacrossborders.orgto explain your situation.
Other than the Mentorship Program, how can RAB help me?
You may like to join our mailing list and sign up for our conferences and monthly teaching webinars, check out our vast library, take the Film Bank Quiz or look up valuable information on the Diagnostic Imaging Pathways. They are 100% online and free.
The International Certificate in Radiology Fundamentals (ICRF) is an intensive one year online course in core radiology. Find more information here.
We look forward to receiving your Expression of Interest.
Expression of Interest - Mentee
Fact Sheet - Mentor
Expression of Interest - Mentor
Our Partners
Radiology Across Borders trains local doctors in developing nations to use the power of radiology to save lives.
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Email: info@radiologyacrossborders.org
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Australia