Mentoring scheme for child and adolescent psychiatry consultants in Scotland

Abstract

Aims and MethodTo describe the mentoring scheme for consultant child psychiatrists in Scotland and discuss findings of a qualitative questionnaire survey of all eligible consultants' use and satisfaction with the scheme.ResultsAll 21 respondents who had used the mentoring scheme thought it had been of great help. A third of respondents appointed since the start of the scheme had not used it. This could be because the consultants were not aware of the scheme, there were not enough mentors or mentoring was not included in consultants' job plans.Clinical ImplicationsFormal mentoring is strongly recommended for all newly appointed consultants. Written recognition within job plans for both mentoring and being mentored would support mentoring arrangements.