An exploratory study of career, psychosocial, and clinical mentoring of podiatrists

The benefits of mentoring in the health sector have received a great deal of attention from health management researchers. Much of this research has concentrated on doctors and nurses at pre-qualification or early career stages in their professional lives working in large organizations. Little attention has been paid to the needs of podiatrists who are often employed in multiple part time or casual roles in public sector clinics or private practices. Many podiatrists rely on a professional association to provide a mentor and continuing professional development. This study uses semi-structured interviews with mentors and mentees and template analysis, to explore three dimensions of mentoring; career, psychosocial and clinical, of podiatrists who are members of a professional association. The implications for practice, theory and further research on podiatrists and other allied health professions are discussed.