MDNews - Greater Boston

PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT FROM ADVISING TO ADVANCING A MENTORSHIP WITH AN EXPERIENCED PHYSICIAN CAN HELP EXPEDITE GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR BUDDING DOCTORS. Y ou have finally arrived. After earning your medical degree and completing your residency and fellowship, you landed a job in a desirable community doing what you love. If you plan to advance your career and successfully juggle your work and personal lives, connecting with a medical professional who has been in your place is wise. A successful mentor relationship can benefit physicians early in their careers in myriad ways. Surveys show employees who have had mentors earn roughly $5,000–$20,000 more annually than their mentor-less peers. Too, the National College of Physicians cites enhanced clinical skills and knowledge, greater enjoyment in work, a more clearly defined career path, and networking as added incentives for mentees. But mentees aren't the only ones who gain from such an alliance. The doctors mentoring them and the organizations employing them reap advantages as well. For physicians counseling newer medical professionals, the interaction can boost awareness and understanding of new trends in a given field. The relationship also offers mentors a sense of gratification and accomplishment stemming from their ability to impart wisdom and skills to the next generation of physicians. When it comes to employers, mentorships directly affect the bottom line. Recent data indicate mentoring programs increased employee retention by as much as 20 percent. A whopping 95 percent of employees also indicate they are motivated to do "their very best" when engaged in a mentoring relationship. Find a Mentor The American Journal of Medicine recommends mentor-seekers survey mid-level or senior colleagues or peers to identify candidates M ENTO RI N G TO PI C S THE AMERICAN ACADEMY of Dermatology and Amy Paller, MD, and Bethanee Schlosser, MD, of Northwestern University recommend the following topics, among others, be covered as part of a mentoring relationship: + When to say no + Time management + Work/life balance + Changing career paths + Positioning oneself for promotion + Preparing for speaking engagements + Becoming involved in professional organizations + How to mentor others + Balancing clinical practice and research goals + Negotiating + Interpersonal conflict management + Staying abreast of latest medical news from one's specialty 10 | Greater Boston MD NEWS I MDNEWS.COM

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