Mentorship program

The mentorship program is designed to:

• Promote excellence in clinical trial design, conduct, and reporting.
• Build a capable network of research leaders and collaborators.
• Strengthen the ANZCA CTN’s reputation and support its endorsed studies.
• Ensure a sustainable CTN through succession planning.

Fellows and trainees

Mentorship is available to ANZCA and Faculty of Pain Medicine (FPM) Fellows and trainees, as well as specialist international medical graduates (SIMGs) enrolled in a pathway towards specialist recognition in Australia and New Zealand. Applicants must:

• Be actively involved in or planning research in anaesthesia, perioperative medicine, or pain medicine.
• Demonstrate engagement with ANZCA CTN, such as:
• Acting as a site investigator on an ANZCA CTN-endorsed study. 
• Presenting at the ANZCA CTN Strategic Research Workshop.

Research Coordinators

Research coordinators listed in the Anaesthesia Research Coordinator Network (ARCN) directory and facilitating research at an ANZCA CTN-recognised site are eligible to apply for mentorship.

Mentees’ Responsibilities

• Arrange regular meetings with their mentor.
• Provide an annual report to the ANZCA CTN Executive (Fellows and trainees) or ANZCA CTN Office (research coordinators) detailing key discussions and progress.
• Maintain professional boundaries; mentors should not be involved in the day-to-day operations of research projects unless they qualify as co-investigators or co-author

Mentors’ Responsibilities

• Meet regularly with mentees as per the agreed schedule.
• Submit an annual report on key discussions and learnings to the ANZCA CTN Executive or Office.
• Provide strategic advice without direct involvement in research execution.

Individuals seeking mentorship should submit a cover letter to the ANZCA CTN Manager outlining:

• Their research background and objectives.
• The specific support they seek from the mentorship program.

The ANZCA CTN Executive (for fellows and trainees) or the ANZCA CTN Office (for research coordinators) will identify a suitable mentor and obtain consent from both parties.

• The mentorship relationship formally lasts for two years, after which it may continue informally at the discretion of both parties.
• Either the mentor or mentee may terminate the relationship at any time, with notification to the ANZCA CTN Manager.

Mentor-mentee discussions are private. Only key learning points will be shared with ANZCA CTN for program evaluation.

Fellows and trainees may request a review of decisions under this policy per ANZCA Regulations 30 and 31. For concerns, contact the Policy Unit at [email protected] or +61 3 9510 6299.

This policy is reviewed biennially to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness.