If one reflects on how most of us learned regional anaesthesia, it rarely began with a guideline or a textbook chapter. It usually started with a person — a mentor standing beside us, guiding the probe, interpreting the anatomy, and sharing the small clinical insights that only experience can teach. For me, however, that person was unfortunately me, myself, and I — learning through trial, curiosity, and persistence at a time when structured mentorship in regional anaesthesia was far less common (well actually non-existant) than it is today.
Today, fortunately, that situation has changed. Many trainees now have the privilege of learning alongside experienced colleagues: someone standing next to them during their first nerve block, helping interpret an uncertain ultrasound image, encouraging them to present a case, write their first abstract, or simply reminding them that curiosity and humility remain the foundations of good medicine. It is a development I am genuinely pleased to see — even if, I must admit, it sometimes makes me a little envious of the opportunities that now exist for the next generation. (nobody is perfect sorry)
In many ways, regional anaesthesia has always been a specialty built on mentorship. Long before structured fellowships, simulation centres, or beautifully labelled ultrasound images existed, we witnessed the almost mystical arrival of nerve stimulation—suddenly moving away from the “hunt for paresthesia” era. Knowledge travelled the old-fashioned way: from clinician to trainee in operating rooms, workshops, and congress corridors, often accompanied by phrases such as “just advance a millimetre… no, not that millimetre.” (I still remember that phrase well); Experienced anaesthesiologists passed on not only their technical skills, but also their clinical judgement—the subtle decisions that rarely make it into textbooks or protocols. That slightly chaotic, highly practical tradition of learning from each other remains one of the great strengths of our community.
The ESRA LIFT Mentorship Programme was created to preserve and expand that tradition across Europe.
LIFT—standing for Leadership, Inspiration, Fellowship and Teaching—is a one-year mentorship programme designed to connect anaesthesia trainees with experienced clinicians in regional anaesthesia, POCUS, perioperative medicine, and pain therapy. The programme is primarily virtual, allowing colleagues from across Europe to meet regularly, exchange ideas, and work together despite geographical distance. Over twelve months, mentor and mentee develop a structured relationship focused not only on clinical expertise but also on professional growth, leadership, and academic development.
Importantly, LIFT does not aim to replace the many educational opportunities already offered by ESRA—such as the ESRA Academy, cadaver workshops, ultrasound courses, webinars, and congress meetings. Rather, it acts as a human bridge connecting these educational platforms. A mentor can help a trainee navigate opportunities, identify areas for growth, and transform educational experiences into meaningful career development.
The concept of mentorship itself is not new, but evidence increasingly demonstrates how powerful it can be. A systematic review by Sambunjak and colleagues in JAMA showed that mentorship in academic medicine is associated with greater research productivity, stronger career satisfaction, and improved professional development among physicians.1 Similar studies across medical specialties confirm that trainees with structured mentors are more likely to develop academic careers, publish research, and assume leadership roles.
Yet beyond measurable outcomes, mentorship also shapes something more fundamental: professional identity. It provides young physicians with a sense of belonging within a community, helping them envision what their future career might look like. In regional anaesthesia—where technical mastery and clinical judgement evolve through experience—this guidance can be invaluable.
Many of us have already experienced this dynamic within our own departments. Personally, I have been fortunate to work with fellows whose enthusiasm and curiosity constantly remind me why mentorship matters. I suspect some of them may be reading this now—and they know exactly how much I tried to support them along the way. But they also know that mentorship is never a one-way street: their questions, ideas, and energy have pushed me forward as well, and have undoubtedly made me a better clinician and teacher in the process. Working with such colleagues illustrates an important truth: mentorship is never a one-directional process. While mentors share experience and guidance, mentees bring new perspectives, energy, and creativity. Often, the relationship becomes a dialogue in which both individuals grow professionally.
The ESRA LIFT programme simply extends this dynamic beyond individual institutions. By pairing mentors and mentees across countries and cultures, it creates opportunities for collaboration that might otherwise never occur. A trainee in one part of Europe might gain insight from a mentor working in a very different healthcare system or research environment. These connections enrich both sides of the relationship and strengthen the broader ESRA network.
Over the course of the year, each mentor–mentee pair will focus on a specific area of interest—perhaps advanced regional techniques, perioperative pathway development, ultrasound-guided procedures, or pain management strategies. Through regular discussions, case reviews, and participation in ESRA educational activities, the mentee gradually develops deeper expertise in that domain.
The programme also encourages each pair to work together on a tangible academic contribution. This could be a poster for an ESRA congress, a clinical case report, an educational article for the ESRA newsletter, or participation in a collaborative research or survey initiative within the ESRA community. In doing so, mentorship becomes not only a personal relationship but also a contribution to the collective scientific life of our society.
Naturally, practical questions arise when launching a new programme.
For now, participation in LIFT is limited to mentors and mentees residing in European countries, allowing the programme to remain manageable and accessible within the ESRA community. However, there is clear potential for future expansion. As ESRA continues to grow globally, mentorship networks may well extend beyond Europe.
Another important aspect is that no financial contribution is required from participants. Mentorship is based on professional engagement rather than funding. Of course, mentors who organize educational activities—such as courses, workshops, or cadaver labs—may choose to invite mentees to participate when possible, but this remains entirely voluntary.
Although the programme is designed primarily for virtual meetings, many mentor–mentee pairs will naturally meet in person during ESRA congresses or educational events. These moments—sharing a coffee after a session, discussing cases between lectures, or meeting colleagues for the first time after months of online discussions—often become the most memorable parts of the mentorship journey.
With the ESRA LIFT Mentorship Programme, mentorship in regional anaesthesia expands beyond individual departments to become a truly European endeavour. By linking trainees and experienced clinicians across borders, the programme creates a network where ideas flow, collaborations grow, and future leaders begin to emerge.
Because mentorship is not simply about learning techniques or writing papers.
It is about guiding the next generation, sharing experience, and ensuring that our specialty continues to evolve, improve, and inspire !!!
Unfortunately, I have stepped down from the Education Committee, but I remain fully supportive of this programme and sincerely hope it will achieve its full potential.
Kind regards,
Steve Coppens
Reference
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