Mentorship for the physician recruited from abroad to Canada for rural practice

Background: Mentoring is one way to help physicians new to a country assimilate. Aim: This study examined the feasibility and focus of a mentoring program from the perspective of medical leaders (leaders) and physicians new to Canada (physicians). Methods: Focus groups with 23 physicians were held in six regional centers. Face-to-face interviews were held with 10 leaders. They were asked to discuss how a mentoring program might be helpful and how a program might be designed and evaluated. Results: Both leaders and physicians recognized that mentorship would support the physician socially, professionally, and emotionally. They told us that mentorship programs should be structured carefully to build trust, allow mentors and mentees some selection, be in geographic proximity where possible, and have transparent rules. While leaders felt that evaluation would be an important part of a mentorship program, the physicians disagreed noting that it would change the nature of the program. Leaders stated that the ultimate evaluation of the program's success would be found in retention numbers. Conclusion: Physicians new to a country need support. Mentorship is a feasible approach to support new comers that may result in more efficient and effective integration, enculturation, and higher levels of retention.