Table 3 Thematic summary of responses by mentors about the positives of the mentor role

Feeling positive about helping others through sharing experience

10

Felt pleased to be able to offer help to another student undertaking the course as from experience it can be very tough but the end rewards are worth it.

Revising/updating own knowledge/practice

4

Discussion about drugs etc. and accountability helped me to refresh my own knowledge and challenge my practice

Personal enjoyment

3

I enjoyed spending time with them both.

Developing links with other clinical teams

2

It was good to be able to network and meet people from similar clinical areas to mine.

Provided structure to support given to colleague

1

I work in the same office as [name omitted] and would have taken on this role anyway, as I am the first in the team to complete this course, but it probably gave some meetings more structure.