Peer Mentoring for International Medical Graduates
Introduction
Navigating the complexities of postgraduate medical and dental training can be challenging, especially for International Medical Graduates (IMGs). Our IMG Peer Mentoring Scheme is designed to provide the support you need to thrive in the NHS. Whether you’re new to the system or already working within it, our scheme offers an opportunity to connect with another IMG, receive support and share experiences.
What is peer mentoring?
Peer mentoring provides a safe non-judgemental space offering time and opportunity for you to share experiences and seek advice from one of your peers. Peer mentoring is led by your agenda as the mentee and should be bespoke to your needs. Your mentor will make you feel valued and heard, and will provide practical support and signposting, where needed.
What are the benefits of peer mentoring for IMGs?
For IMGs new to postgraduate training, transitioning to a new country and healthcare system can be overwhelming. Connecting with a peer mentor may support your acclimatisation to working for the NHS, commencing your specialty’s training programme, and learning about the nuances of British culture and English language. As IMGs, our peer mentors understand the unique challenges that IMGs can face, and they may be able to share learning and advice from their own experiences to benefit your acclimatisation.
For those in later stages of training, a peer mentor may provide insights and share their experiences of rotating to a specific placement site, preparing for examinations within your specialty and other aspects of navigating the NHS culture you may encounter.
More broadly, accessing peer mentoring provides you with an opportunity to connect with a peer you may otherwise not meet and enhance your network.
Who can access the IMG Peer Mentoring Scheme?
The scheme is open to all postgraduate doctors and dentists in training within the Yorkshire and Humber region, whose primary medical qualification was awarded outside of the UK and Ireland. The IMG Peer Mentoring Scheme is free to access for all participants.
Who are the peer mentors?
Our pilot cohort of IMG peer mentors were carefully selected through an application process, having demonstrated they have the experience, passion and compassion to support other IMG PGDiTs. We have purposefully chosen peer mentors from a breadth of specialties and different work locations within the region, to meet the different needs of peer mentees.
All of our peer mentors have undertaken peer mentoring training and have agreed to act in accordance with the IMG Peer Mentoring Ethical Framework and Code of Practice. This includes engaging in supervision sessions and engaging with any future additional training opportunities to enhance their skills. Peer mentees are also expected to adhere to the IMG Peer Mentoring Ethical Framework and Code of Practice.
How does the peer mentoring relationship work?
When registering for IMG Peer Mentoring, you will be able to view the profiles of our available IMG peer mentors and request to match with your preferred peer mentor. Your choice of mentor may be based on their specialty, placement site, country of origin or any other information contained within their mentor profile. Peer mentors are expected to respond to a match request within five working days.
Once matched with a peer mentor, they will contact you to organise the first meeting and you may access a maximum of four mentoring sessions. Mentoring meetings will be organised to ensure they suit the availability and preference of both parties, which includes whether they will take place face-to-face or virtually. Typically, we recommend a minimum of one meeting per month, but flexibility is encouraged to suit individual schedules.
After each meeting, your peer mentor will complete an activity log within our online mentoring system, which acts as a confidential record of your meeting, and you will be able to add any of your own notes to it.
When the peer mentoring relationship ends, you will be asking to complete an evaluation form to reflect on your experience of peer mentoring and the support of your peer mentor. This will help us to improve the IMG Peer Mentoring scheme and support the professional development of your peer mentor.
You can find more information about how the peer mentoring relationship will work in our IMG Peer Mentoring Guide for Mentees.
How do I register for IMG peer mentoring?
For more information about the IMG Peer Mentoring scheme, including instructions on how to self-register and match with a mentor on our online system MentorNet, please see our IMG Peer Mentoring Guide for Mentees.
Who do I contact if I have any queries?
If you have any questions about the IMG Peer Mentoring Scheme or experience any difficulties when creating your MentorNet account, please contact our Peer Mentoring Administrator at: england.coaching.yh@nhs.net.