Mentoring--the trainee's perspective.

All the trainees within the NHS have probably been introduced to appraisals and assessments at some stage in their training. This culture of developmental appraisals and assessments is unfamiliar to many of these doctors and may be found threatening, embarrassing, and even intimidating. In the light of this uncertainty, the appraisal and assessment procedure is often viewed as a redundant and bureaucratic process initiated by big brother. With the recent introduction of mentoring into the health service for medical trainees, some have suggested that it may help the appraisal and assessments process.