One Click Away: Digital Mentorship in the Modern Era

Abstract

Mentorship is a valuable component of the career development of junior faculty. The digital era has allowed for greater access to mentors spanning geographic barriers and time zones. This article discusses the concept of digital mentorship, as well as strategies and techniques for developing and supporting a digital mentoring relationship in the modern era.

Online Mastermind Groups: A Non-hierarchical Mentorship Model for Professional Development

“…Gottlieb and colleagues have previously described the opportunities and barriers to digital mentorship in a recent paper [ 22 ]. This application of digital technologies displays that it is acceptable, feasible, and economical to establish digitally-based Mastermind groups between geographically disparate individuals.…”

“…Advances in technology now mean that the world can literally be right at our fingertips. Geographic bounding of the mentor-mentee relationship is no longer necessary [ 22 ]. In fact, for effective mentorship through Mastermind Groups, it may be advantageous to connect academic physicians from different centers in mentorship opportunities, since these relationships may be less influenced by personal gains and local politics.…”

Adding value to scholarship in residency: Supporting and inspiring future emergency medicine research in Canada

“…2 Residents should be connected to mentors who are available and enthusiastic and who have scholarly experience in their area of interest. 5 While some residents may not have a local mentor who fits these criteria, the rise of digital technologies overcomes traditional institutional and geographical barriers to scholarly collaboration. Academic gatherings, such as the CAEP Conference or the Network of Canadian Emergency Researchers (NCER) annual meeting, should be approached by attendees and organizers as an opportunity to spark academic networks.…”

You don’t need a mentor; you need a board of directors

“…The rise of virtual communities of practice via online discussion groups, Twitter chats, and free openaccess medical education (#FOAMed) forums has allowed legitimate peripheral participation of early career physicians to engage with established core members (i.e., experts). 10 Connecting with a potential mentor through initial participation in a virtual community of practice is occurring with increasing frequency. One caveat of course is that the inclusion of digital mentors in a board of directors still requires at least one individual familiar with the context and politics of the local institution of the mentee.…”