The power of cross-border mentorship in healthcare 

And as new technologies emerge, the importance of upskilling across the healthcare workforce is clear.

One way to upskill is through digital learning, involving undertaking online training into new specialisms and technological developments. Another powerful tool is professional mentorship, which we’ll be exploring today. Professional mentorship is at its most valuable when it happens across borders, allowing for the sharing of new perspectives and experiences between healthcare professionals.

We’re going to take a closer look at all the benefits, challenges and strategies for successfully undertaking cross-border mentorship, offering valuable insight for healthcare professionals and organisations, no matter which field you work in.

Why is upskilling important in healthcare?

Recent years have put the healthcare sector under huge strain, particularly during and in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the wake of a workforce crisis, it’s never been more important for healthcare professionals to feel valued, competent and confident in their role – something that can be achieved with regular training and continual learning.

People who feel up to date with their practice are more likely to thrive during busy periods and in the face of unexpected change (the pandemic being a great example). Upskilling goes beyond simply building skills, it means meeting the growing demands of the sector – and providing the best possible care to patients.

It also allows healthcare workers to access new opportunities in their field and experience greater job satisfaction. Whether they’re exploring a new specialism or moving into a leadership role, continual upskilling is important for empowering staff to thrive in an organisation – often leading to improved levels of retention.

What is cross-border mentorship?

At its most basic, mentoring is a professional relationship based on mutual trust. Mentoring can happen peer-to-peer between people working at similar professional levels or in similar roles, or, most commonly, on an expert-to-novice basis. This often takes place between someone established in their profession, and either a student or newcomer to a particular specialism – including those who may have moved across from a non-clinical role.

Mentoring can involve formal programs, in which people are matched via a dedicated provider (which we will look at in detail later). There’s also the more informal route, where a mentorship relationship may happen organically, perhaps through a colleague referral or via a connection on a communication platform.

Specifically, cross-border (or cross-cultural) mentorship takes place between people in different countries, with a particular focus on one member of the relationship being from a low or middle-income country. This type of mentoring is mainly undertaken online, making it flexible to the needs of people from all backgrounds.

The benefits of cross-border mentorship

In a globalized world, cross-border mentorship is emerging as a powerful tool for cultural exchange and learning. It aims to promote diversity and inclusivity in healthcare settings, contributing to a more well-rounded and empathetic workforce. The wide range of benefits include:

• It provides exposure to diverse perspectives
  With there being no standardised healthcare provision model around the world, cross-border mentorship provides access to different medical practices, cultural approaches and healthcare systems. This is especially useful if a student or junior professional is looking to move to a new country for work, as it provides insight into the unique approach via the experiences of someone already living and working there.
• It encourages knowledge exchange and collaboration
  While some things can be taught, often, hearing about a person’s experiences directly from them is the best way to get a real insight into their day-to-day. This is what mentoring allows for, involving the sharing of knowledge and lived experiences. This works both ways, too, with reverse mentoring giving more seasoned colleagues insight into things like new technology, current trends and differing perspectives from a younger colleague.
• It allows for professional networking
  When moving to a new country for work, the prospect of not having any connections or friendly faces to turn to when you arrive can be difficult. But with cross-border mentoring, people can build professional networks that span the world, making the whole sector feel a little less daunting. These networks often start small, but they build as a career grows and can often lead to workplace opportunities in the future.

The potential challenges of cross-border mentorship

• Communication barriers
  While cross-border mentorship allows for cultural exchange and learning, it does also present certain barriers – especially when it comes to language and time zones. It’s important that people are properly matched based on these factors, to allow for the relationship to be mutually beneficial. Additionally, setting clear expectations upfront about how and when you wish to communicate will ensure everyone is on the same page.
• Logistical and technological challenges
  Access to technology can differ significantly across countries, especially between those living and/or working in nations of a higher and lower income – which cross-border mentorship often involves. The first step to ensuring this access doesn’t become a barrier is to establish clear guidelines about which platforms you are going to use. Video conferencing software feels the most personal, but if this isn’t possible, you could also make use of a more traditional communication method like email or a phone call.
• Differing goals and expectations
  People’s reasons for entering into a cross-border mentorship program can vary drastically, which does sometimes lead to differing expectations about what the relationship will involve. Challenges can occur surrounding boundaries and availability, which can damage the success of the experience for all involved. Setting mutually agreed-upon guidelines surrounding when a conversation will take place, along with arranging an agenda for the discussion, will ensure things stay on-topic and professional.

Strategies for successful cross-border mentorship

Now we’ve looked at the benefits and challenges of a cross-border mentorship program, let’s delve into the steps you can take to make sure the experience is as beneficial as possible for all involved.

1. Make sure the match is the right fit
Whether you’re a mentor or a mentee, making sure your counterpart has complementary skills, goals and values is a great place to start when building a professional relationship. Professional networks, specialist mentor organisations and platforms like TalentFind will allow you to build these healthcare connections. Just make sure you make your own profile as detailed as possible to enable a strong match.

2. Put clear communication guidelines in place
As we’ve already explored, putting clear guidelines in place for communication will keep everyone on the same page from the start. If possible, set a regular scheduled time that works for all parties to establish a routine, and test different communication methods to find the one that works best for you both. Additionally, if you’re sharing documents, making sure you use a safe, ideally cloud-based platform to protect any information and improve accessibility.

3. Establish a process for setting and reviewing goals
While there is a need for general conversation and getting to know each other professionally throughout a mentorship, having goals to work towards will make sure the mentee feels like they are really gaining something tangible from the experience. These goals should be specific and measurable, and your conversations should regularly address the progress of these goals, with adjustments made along the way if needed.

4. Stay alert to cultural sensitivity and adaptability
Approaching mentorship with an open mind and respect for cultural difference is really important for anyone involved in the process. With healthcare differing so much across borders, there are bound to be approaches that differ too. As long as you adapt to change and remain sensitive to cultural variances, you can close the gap and enhance mutual understanding.

Cross-border mentorship in action

Cross-border mentoring has gathered momentum in recent years, with several projects having success in uniting healthcare professionals around the world.

• Project ECHO
  Project ECHO is a telementoring network designed for continuing professional development and improving patient outcomes. The ECHO model involves participants in under-served areas connecting with specialists worldwide, designed to build international expertise in healthcare. The success of the program so far has allowed it to serve as a model for larger scale CPD globally, with a view to enhancing patient care, improving quality and reducing costs.
• SIMBA
  Simulation via Instant Messaging–Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) is a global collaborative medical education initiative that brings collaboration to teams from different cultural backgrounds. The experience was named “mentorship without borders”, giving the participants the skills needed to address the complexities of diverse patient populations, encouraging collaboration in international research. Following the initial project, the team hopes to reverse their experience and become the mentors of trainees through SIMBA, showcasing the enduring power of this type of project.
• Teladoc Health Mentorship Programme
  Teladoc Health is a mentee-led mentorship experience that supports employees in seeking out mentors across organisations to help them reach their career goals. The program has facilitated both cross-generational and cross-border mentorship, bringing insights and guidance to professionals in different countries and enhancing career development.

The power of connection in a globalized world

The wealth of value that cross-border mentorship brings is clear – benefiting mentors, mentees and patients alike. And it’s likely we haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to how far these kinds of programs could go – both in terms of the distance between participants and the potential for inspiring change in healthcare.

If you’d like to get started with finding a mentorship opportunity, one way you can do this is by joining TalentFind. TalentFind understands the critical global shortage of mentors in healthcare professions. That’s why we’re currently developing a dedicated mentor-mentee area of our platform in partnership with leading organisations. These exciting and innovative partnerships will enable healthcare professionals to register as mentors and connect with mentees seeking guidance and support.

Mentees will be able to specify the areas they’re looking for mentorship within, so the right matches are always made to support their individual needs. We connect people at all different stages of their career, fostering mutually beneficial relationships that enhance professional development and bridge the mentorship gap in the healthcare industry.

With the world of healthcare changing so rapidly, the only constant we can rely on is communication. Through the sharing of knowledge and experiences, we will create a truly global workforce, sensitive to cultural differences and able to provide the highest level of patient care.

Join TalentFind today to explore cross-border mentorship opportunities and receive world-leading support on your healthcare career journey.