Creating More Effective Mentors: Mentoring the Mentor

Abstract

Introduction Given the diversity of those affected by HIV, increasing diversity in the HIV biomedical research workforce is imperative. A growing body of empirical and experimental evidence supports the importance of strong mentorship in the development and success of trainees and early career investigators in academic research settings, especially for mentees of diversity. Often missing from this discussion is the need for robust mentoring training programs to ensure that mentors are trained in best practices on the tools and techniques of mentoring. Recent experimental evidence shows improvement in mentor and mentee perceptions of mentor’s competency after structured and formalized training on best practices in mentoring. Methods We developed a 2-day “Mentoring the Mentors” workshop at UCSF to train mid-level and senior HIV researchers from around the country (recruited mainly from Centers for AIDS Research (CFARs)) on best practices, tools and techniques of effective mentoring. The workshop content was designed using principles of Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT) and included training specific to working with early career investigators from underrepresented groups, including training on unconscious bias, microaggressions, and diversity supplements. The workshop has been held 3 times (September 2012, October 2013 and May 2015) with plans for annual training. Mentoring competency was measured using a validated tool before and after each workshop. Results Mentoring competency skills in six domains of mentoring -specifically effective communication, aligning expectations, assessing understanding, fostering independence, addressing diversity and promoting development - all improved as assessed by a validated measurement tool for participants pre- and-post the “Mentoring the Mentors” training workshops. Qualitative assessments indicated a greater awareness of the micro-insults and unconscious bias experienced by mentees of diversity and a commitment to improve awareness and mitigate these effects via the mentor-mentee relationship. Discussion Our “Mentoring the Mentors” workshop for HIV researchers/mentors offers a formal and structured curriculum on best practices, tools and techniques of effective mentoring, and methods to mitigate unconscious bias in the mentoring relationship and at the institutional level with mentees of diversity. We found quantitative and qualitative improvements in mentoring skills as assessed by self-report by participants after each workshop and plan additional programs with longitudinal longer-term assessments focused on objective mentee outcomes (grants, papers, academic retention). Mentoring training can improve mentoring skills and are likely to improve outcomes for optimally-mentored mentees.

A tiered mentorship framework in an Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Programme

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Building a More Diverse Workforce in HIV/AIDS Research: The Time has Come

“…Brewer et al [45] provide a perspective of the mentee from Black early-career HIV investigators, reflecting on their needs, challenges, and opportunities regarding the right mentor and mentorship environment as well as contributions and ''threats'' to success. Subsequent papers in the mentoring process section discuss tailored mentoring programs for Latinos and other individuals from diverse communities [46], cultural competency of the mentor in HIV research [40], multidisciplinary or transdisciplinary HIV research teams within mentoring programs [47], HIV network-based mentoring programs [48], and mentor training to improve mentee skills and outcomes [49]. The final section focuses upon next steps and directions for mentoring programs, going beyond individual level issues to considerations that may lead to career success.…”

Future HIV Mentoring Programs to Enhance Diversity

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