萝莉视频

The 45-60 minute talk can be delivered face-to-face or in webinar format.

Topic

Doing do-able jobs: How coaching and mentoring helps our professional development 

Synopsis

Jeya will reflect on how coaching and mentoring can help professional development and peer support, inviting psychiatrists to realise their 'inner mentor'. He draws on experiences working in professional groups and clinical teams, including military healthcare, and shares learning from College colleagues’ regional experiences of coach-mentoring in peer groups and 1-2-1 schemes.

Speaker (example)

Jeya Balakrishna, Associate Registrar for Coaching and Mentoring, RCPsych

Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist, Defence Primary Healthcare, MOD

Objective

Tasks and exercises

• share insights about the usefulness of coaching and mentoring – whether 1-2-1 or in groups - in peer support, psychiatric training and professional development. Includes examples of UK schemes 

• invite reflections from participants about their experience of giving and/or receiving coach-mentoring 

• highlight skillsets common to coach-mentoring and to relational skills that psychiatrists routinely practice – inviting psychiatrist to realise their “inner mentor” … and “inner coach”! 

• consider thriving workplaces in terms of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) and Emotional Intelligence (EQ) 

• practical skills exercises, e.g. ‘paired coach-mentoring practice’ and ‘career advice for your younger self’ to enable appreciation of the partnership of trust and active listening.

Much is said about coaching and mentoring being different, in terms of goals and approaches (and indeed what qualifies a person to train or deliver), but in fact there are many similarities; someone who coaches or mentors another will use a similar skill set in these interventions. Coaching and mentoring ultimately help us to learn, reflect and grow.

• Coaching and mentoring rely on relationship-building (communication and compatibility are key to this).
• Both seek to enhance a person’s skills and knowledge.
• Both require self-discipline and awareness.
• Both require empathy, active listening, intuitive thinking, and constructive challenge.
• Both require certain objectives, criteria, or goals to be identified and worked towards (the framework for this will likely be more structured with coaching, less time-limited with mentoring).
• Both can use ‘checking-in’ to chart progress (coaching will structure set check-in times; mentoring may require checking in ‘as and when’, the mentor stepping back when less needed).
• Good coaches and mentors have creative thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving skills (neither will seek to solve problems but rather facilitate an individual’s learning and growth).
• Both coaching and mentoring require a commitment from all parties to succeed (a person cannot be successfully coached or mentored if they are unwilling to engage).

So, what are the differences between coaching and mentoring?

The table below lays out the main differences:

The significant difference is that the mentor shares their knowledge, skills and experience that are relevant to the professional development of the individual. The coach does not usually need knowledge or experience of the individual’s field of expertise, when engaging the individual in an identified area of development.

Notwithstanding this, and for the purpose of our College, it would be good to recognise the common skill set in coaching and mentoring…

Thinking about what we each would do as a coach or mentor:

• Create a trusted space.
• Promote honesty and openness.
• Be an active listener.
• Encourage confidence and self-reliance.
• Gently guide and advise in a non-judgmental manner.
• Help realise potential.
• Act in the best interest of the others.
• Learn something about ourselves in the process.

All this is familiar territory for a psychiatrist! We know how to ‘listen’ – make eye contact, ask questions that promote discovery and insight, observe non-verbal cues, empathise, help to see things in a different light and make suggestions tactfully. And of course, this works both ways, for the coach/mentor and the individual.

Which begs the question: Is the conventional distinction that is made between ‘coaching’ and ‘mentoring’ relevant to our College requirement?

Please click on the next two sub-headings to learn more.

We invite psychiatrists to realise their ‘inner mentor’… or ‘inner coach’!

Psychiatrists are peers in the same field of professional expertise, so in terms of mentoring, it should become second nature to be able to share knowledge and experience to assist our peers who are preparing for a new role or a future role, new to an organisation, learning ‘how to get things done’ or understanding the ‘language and culture’ of mental healthcare working environments.

As peers, we can introduce key contacts in clinical, academic and management settings and advise on ‘macro’ matters such as organisational strategy, policies and clinical governance. Seniority should only matter in terms of knowledge and experience, not necessarily age or job status in the organisation. Rather than rigid and labour-intensive mentor-mentee matching schemes (that do operate in many healthcare organisations), some have learned to shift towards adapting existing groupings:

• Informal departmental or sector/catchment peer groupings ensure that newbie consultants are ‘shown the ropes’! Help learning about ‘how to get things done’.
• Trainee peer mentoring groups, where more experienced trainees share what they are learning on the job with trainees starting out in the profession.
• Some consultants and SAS psychiatrists have learned to shift towards harnessing our mandatory CPD peer groups for mutual peer support.

As to coaching in our profession – in terms of what special training is required, there is more practical utility in building on the relational skills-set that College members – as psychiatrists – already have (or are developing, in the case of early-stage trainees and SAS doctors). Coaching skills are already in general use across our profession:

• How to give evidence at First-Tier Tribunal
• Induction of new colleague – ‘show and tell’ IT
• Consultants coaching their SAS doctor colleagues about CESR portfolio submission
• Interview preparation for Consultant job
• Coaching trainees for mock OSCEs.

Typical of coaching in all these examples is the structured and time-limited support for a psychiatrist who is facing a specific challenge or has a development goal relating to immediate skills acquisition or their performance in their current role. The psychiatrist is capable, but may need support to reflect and learn, to improve in their current role.

Dr Natasha Rishi (MBBS, BSc, MRCPsych)

A spirited mother of two, Natasha Rishi finds joy in Eastern philosophy, yoga, dance, and good coffee. She champions authenticity at work, inspiring colleagues to connect and thrive.

As a consultant general adult psychiatrist at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust, she leads an assessment and primary care liaison team. Passionate about medical and interprofessional education, she enjoys teaching GPs and holds a Postgraduate Award in Medical Education.

She is dedicated to workforce wellbeing and bringing out the best in others. She holds foundation level accreditation in coaching with the EMCC (European Mentoring and Coaching Council) and remains part of peer coaching communities. She has led a national scholarship and mentoring scheme, supporting medical students with education-based projects in psychiatry. When not working, she will be found savouring the quiet moments with her husband or cheering on their young children!

Dr Carol Quinn (MRCPsych, PhD, BA [Hons])

Dr Carol Quinn is a consultant old age psychiatrist working in NHS Scotland and member of the RCPsych Scottish Workforce and Careers Committee. Carol sits on the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Guideline Development Working Group on Assessment, diagnosis, care and support for people with Dementia and their Carers, due for publication in late 2023.

Prior to a career in medicine, Carol was a lecturer at the University of Glasgow in the School of Business and Management. Carol has a PhD (2001) in Human Resource Management, and she has published internationally in the areas of work organisation, working practices, workplace wellbeing, emotional labour and violence at work (nee Boyd).

Carol joined the RCPsych Coaching and Mentoring group because of her specialist interest in raising the profile, accessibility and inclusivity of coaching and mentoring for psychiatrists at all grades and at any stage of their careers.

.

Dr Saleema Durgahee (MBBS, MSc Psychiatry, MRCPsych)

Saleema is a Consultant Perinatal Psychiatrist with the Sussex Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Service in Brighton and Eastbourne. She previously worked as a Consultant Liaison Psychiatrist with a focus on Liaison Addictions and Perinatal Mental Health.She is an elected member of the RCPsych Perinatal Psychiatry Faculty, serves on the RCPsych Leadership and Management Committee and is a CASC examiner.

Saleema was formerly programme director of a successful Leadership Development programme for resident and SAS doctors across all medical specialties in the South East. She has a deep interest in organisational development, medical leadership, and talent management. She is a mentor, qualified Executive Coach, and an accredited Balint Group leader and supervisor with the UK Balint Society. Outside of work, Saleema is mum to three children, with two wonderful whippets and a cat! She remains indebted to her husband, also an NHS consultant, and the magic of trail running, both of which help her maintain balance in her busy home and work life.

Dr Farida Jan (MBBS, MRCPsych, MD)

Driving excellence in Professional standards is everyday business for myself, team and for the organization. We deliver that at Northamptonshire NHS Healthcare foundation trust(NHFT) by creating an environment which supports medical and dental colleagues through professional development activities. We work in partnership to support clinical engagement and leadership of performance, clinical effectiveness, safety, patient experience, and service development.

We have incorporated Mentorship scheme in Professional standards team and working in collaboration with neighbouring Trusts to facilitate its delivery. We have a robust system for evaluating the effectiveness of the mentorship scheme and have established peer group for mentors for ongoing support.

Dr Angela Misra (MBBS, MRCPsych, PgDip, FFMLM, NHS LeadersPlus Fellow)

Angela is an SAS doctor at Cygnet Churchill Hospital (London) with a background of over 10 years’ experience integrating clinical excellence, strategic leadership, and international innovation. Angela is passionate about Coaching and Mentoring across Healthcare and has developed and delivered regional and local teaching at Cygnet, mentored fellow SAS doctors and Imperial Medical Students as well as carried out clinical supervision for Nurse Prescribers.

Angela holds fellowships with the Faculty of Medical Leadership and Management and NHS LeadersPlus, and serves on multiple boards including the RCPsych VIPSIG, Clinical Advisory Board, School Board and the Aspiring Leaders in Healthcare Network. Her work has earned national recognition, including RCPsych London Division SAS Doctor of the Year 2024, and she continues to champion psychologically safe leadership and equitable mental healthcare across sectors.

In addition, she has co-led service transformation in psychiatric rehabilitation, pioneered psychological initiatives that have improved intervention quality and scaled this across the UK. She co-founded The Unity Initiative, a specialist national mentoring service, developing Islamic Behavioural Therapy and has advised national and international bodies on CVE strategy.

Dr Jeya Balakrishna (MBBS, FRCPsych, LLM)

A clinician of 36 years, Jeya is a consultant forensic psychiatrist in Defence Primary Healthcare, Ministry of Defence, looking after British Forces since 2013.

An infantry medical officer prior to psychiatric training at St George’s, SW London, Jeya has been clinical director of NHS forensic services, medical director in the independent sector, delivered team coaching in the National Clinical Governance Support Team (headed by the Deputy CMO NHS 萝莉视频) across many NHS trusts, and worked in corporate management consultancy.

Teaching trainees on S12 courses at Springfield Hospital, London keeps him on his CPD toes, while sitting on the Executives of the Adult and Child and Adolescent Faculties plus the Leadership and Management Committee keeps him grounded in clinical care. Wife and three grown-up children encourage him to exercise briskly, but he prefers yoga to walking!

Ewa Wisniewska Young (MRCPsych, LMCA BSLM)

Dr Ewa Wisniewska Young trained as a General Adult Psychiatrist and have worked in a number of services within Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

Ewa’s interest in mentoring dates back to being a mentee in the early years of her career, which inspired her to complete mentoring training and Level 5 Certificate in Professional Coaching with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Through her membership of the Association for Coaching and CMI, she connects with other coaches and mentors to broaden her perspective and keep current with the latest continuing developments.

Ewa is a Certified Lifestyle Medicine Practitioner (Internationally recognised and accredited by both European and World LM organisations). She is a member of the British Society of Lifestyle Medicine.

Ewa is passionate about wellbeing and work-life balance and has completed Pilates instructor and personal trainer courses enhancing her own knowledge and skills in these areas.

She is keen to improve accessibility to mentoring and coaching for psychiatrists at all grades and in any career stage.

Dr Neel Halder (MBChB, FRCPsych, MSc (Neuropsychiatry), MBA)

Dr Halder is a medical director and consultant psychiatrist of All Saints Hospital, Oldham, and was a Senior Honorary Lecturer for Manchester University.

He has been active with the 萝莉视频 since 2008 when he worked as the trainee editor of the BJPsych Bulletin. He has continuously been heavily involved with College activities since then, including working as the recruitment lead for the NW division, and is currently the deputy mentoring lead for the College NW division.

He has a Masters in neuropsychiatry, and a diploma in life coaching. He was part of the core group in setting up a national mentoring scheme for Elysium and currently mentors specialty doctors and consultants both in the NHS and private sectors.

He recently became a Fellow of the Royal College in recognition of his dedication to pursuits outside his clinical work. In 2020, he was awarded Consultant of the Year by the 萝莉视频 (NW Division).

Gwen Collin, ST6 in Leeds training in General Adult Psychiatry, shares her positive experience of peer mentoring amongst trainees in Leeds. Whether 1-2-1 or in groups, this is a simple and effective model for trainees with experience and knowledge to share insights with fellow trainees arriving in the training scheme. Dr Collin presented this to the Divisional Coaching & Mentoring conference ‘Doing do-able jobs’ on 11 Oct 2023. Hosted online by the West Midlands and the Northern & Yorkshire Divisions. 

Associate Registrar Jeya Balakrishna chats with Billy Boland, College Trustee and Executive Medical Director of SW London & St George’s NHS Trust. In a warm exchange of ideas and experiences, much wisdom and insight flows from two former work colleagues in community psychiatry who also sat together on the General Adult Faculty Executive.

The General Medical Council (GMC) has created a Mentoring toolkit, which can help organisations to set up and run formalised mentoring schemes. You can find a step by step guide on the GMC website on .

Resources are available to learn about the barriers other organisations have faced and to overcome them and how mentoring can reduce the attainment gap in post graduate medical education.