Mentoring for post-doctoral researchers in rheumatology: The Emerging EULAR Network (EMEUNET) Post-Doc Mentoring Program

Funding JR-­C is supported by a postdoctoral contract ('Juan de la Cierva - Incorporación' programme, reference IJCI-2017-32070) from the Ministry of Science, Universities and Innovation (Spain). JG is currently supported by a grant from Bristol Myers Squibb. AS is supported by a doctoral grant from 'Fundação Protected by copyright. on February 18, 2020 at UNL/Fac Ciencias Medicas Biblioteca. http://rmdopen.bmj.com/ RMD Open: first published as 10.1136/rmdopen-2019-001139 on 3 February 2020. Downloaded from 10 Rodríguez-­Carrio J, et al. RMD Open 2020;6:e001139. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2019-001139 RMD Open para a Ciência e Tecnologia' (SFRH/BD/108246/2015). AA is supported by a grant from the European Commission (HarmonicSS GA 731944).Objective This study aims to (1) assess the perceived need for a postdoctoral (post-doc) mentoring programme in rheumatology, (2) describe the characteristics and organisational aspects of a pilot mentoring programme implemented by the EMerging European League Against Rheumatism NETwork (EMEUNET) and (3) report mentors' and mentees' evaluation of the pilot programme. Methods An online survey was conducted among young researchers in rheumatology to evaluate the need and preferred characteristics of a post-doc mentoring initiative. Informed by the survey, a pilot programme was designed and launched. The pilot programme was evaluated with 3-month, 6-moth and 12-month surveys and interviews with mentees and a 12-month survey among mentors, after completion. Results From 275 responses (43 countries, 86% from Europe) collected, analyses were restricted to the target population (total population=158; post-docs (n=103 (65%)) and PhD students (n=55 (35%))). There was a clear need (99% positive responses) for a post-doc mentoring programme. Discussions about current and new projects, and how to lead projects were ranked as priorities in post-doc mentoring. The most desired mentor attribute was generosity and interest in helping (86%), followed by research experience (68%) and having a well-established network (66%). The pilot programme included four mentees (through competitive application) allocated to three mentors. Evaluation surveys and interviews revealed that the programme organisation and content were well appreciated by mentees and mentors. Conclusions The EMEUNET post-doc mentoring programme addresses unmet need for mentoring, is viable and appreciated by mentors and mentees. The programme structure and content are transferable to other fields where there is need for academic career mentoring.publishersversionpublishe

Who are the young professionals working in the field of rheumatology in Europe and what are their needs? An EMEUNET (EMerging EUlar NETwork) survey

Pathophysiology and treatment of rheumatic disease