BuDDS

How BuDDS works:

BuDDS is a network connecting mentors with mentees and placing them into groups known as Pods.

Pods are formed by grouping mentors and mentees with similar areas of interest to maximise the potential for career guidance. To avoid any conflicts of interest, mentees will not be assigned to a mentor who is responsible for assessing their progress through a formal training programme (such as their director of training). Pods evolve over time allowing the inclusion of new mentees while simultaneously promoting the transition of existing mentees to mentors or group alumni.

The basic structure of a Pod includes Consultant(s)/Fellow(s) as senior mentors, junior Fellow(s) and/or senior registrar/s as junior mentors and mentees, and other mentees from the junior registrar, RMO and intern pools. Some Pods will also contain RCSWA students matched with volunteer near-peer mentors. This structure aims to facilitate mentoring at many levels within the Pod.

Pods decide how mentoring works within the group. Options include:

·         Group mentoring: the pod always meets as a group, often discussing a specific issue

·         Individual mentoring: mentoring pairs are chosen within the pod to allow all to participate

·         Blended model: this is the most popular model in BuDDS. Mentoring pairs are chosen related to member choice and seniority and the pod meets intermittently as a group.

We suggest pods appoint a ‘driver’, who may not be the most senior member, who is responsible for organisation of group meetings.

Pods have a formal introduction at the BuDDS annual welcome event and thereafter will establish their framework, schedule and meeting plans individually. The committee will additionally provide an annual educational event about mentoring and an annual social event for all BuDDS members to promote a positive, supportive medical community and encourage Pod engagement.

Membership:

Membership of BuDDS is voluntary and open to all doctors and RCSWA medical students in the South-West. Registration occurs via an on-line form which includes details regarding the member’s career (plans), preferences for mentors (including confidential information regarding individuals they would prefer not to be linked with) and the BuDDS confidentiality agreement. Members may apply at any time of the year. Movement between pods is also possible.

 Matching Process:

Mentors participating in the program will have the opportunity to complete a ‘bio’ and this information will guide the selection of the individual Pod members. Mentors and mentees will be able to access these ‘bios’ and submit their preferences for Pod allocations.  The final matching of the mentors and mentees in each Pod is done by the BuDDS committee. Should a mentor or mentee need to leave the program or feel they would be more compatible with a different Pod, the committee will arrange the transition.

Governance:

BuDDS committee includes representation from RCSWA regional training hubs, BDITS, and hospital and community practitioners. The committee meet approximately monthly to assess new applications and plan events and communication.

 The committee maintains the BuDDS website which contains information about starting, maintaining and ending mentoring relationships including forms which can be used to record meetings and tools to assist mentors and mentees progress.

 The committee has also developed formal escalation processes (in line with AHPRA and institution guidelines) to be used to guide the management of specific issues that individual Pods may face. These are available on the BuDDS website.

The BuDDS committee will provide regular member updates, mentoring tips and workshops, information about local education and training events and host two annual whole-of-BuDDS events for members. The BuDDS committee is available to provide addition support to its Pods and its members as required. The BuDDS committee aims to engage with members via e-mail, social media (Facebook, Instagram), on their website and in person!