Skip to content

Mentee Onboarding Guide

Quick Summary: Welcome to the DPC Mentor Platform. This guide helps you understand how the platform works, what to expect from mentorship, and how to make the most of your connection with experienced DPC physicians.

Table of Contents

Welcome

Welcome to the DPC Mentor Platform, where you can connect with experienced Direct Primary Care physicians who have successfully built their own practices.

Whether you're a medical student curious about DPC, a resident exploring your options, or a practicing physician considering the transition — this platform connects you with mentors who have walked the path before you.

Who Can Be a Mentee?

The DPC Mentor Platform is designed for physicians and physicians-in-training interested in Direct Primary Care.

Eligible Mentees

Category Description
Medical Students Currently enrolled in an accredited MD or DO program
Resident Physicians In an accredited residency program (any specialty)
Practicing Physicians Licensed MD or DO interested in starting or transitioning to DPC

What is the DPC Mentor Platform?

The DPC Mentor Platform is a volunteer-driven connection service that pairs aspiring DPC physicians with experienced mentors.

[!IMPORTANT] The platform serves as a pairing service only. Once an initial connection is made, all subsequent arrangements are determined directly between mentor and mentee.

The Platform Provides:

  • Initial matching between mentors and mentees
  • Profile management
  • Mentor credential verification
  • Basic platform support

The Platform Does NOT Provide:

  • Supervision of mentorship relationships
  • Malpractice coverage
  • Mediation of disputes
  • Management of schedules or logistics
  • Academic credit coordination

Types of Mentorship

Clinical Rotations (Medical Students & Residents)

If you're a medical student or resident, you may be able to arrange a clinical rotation with a DPC mentor.

What to Know:

  • Duration varies by mentor (typically 2–6 weeks)
  • Structure is determined by the mentor
  • You are responsible for coordinating with your institution
  • Malpractice coverage must be confirmed before rotations begin
  • Mentors may accept or decline rotation requests at their discretion

Non-Clinical Mentoring (All Mentee Types)

For guidance on starting a DPC practice, transitioning from traditional medicine, or understanding the DPC model — without clinical involvement.

What to Know:

  • Format, frequency, and duration are mutually agreed upon with your mentor
  • Methods may include phone calls, video meetings, email exchanges, or in-person meetings
  • Focus areas might include business planning, pricing, operations, marketing, or general career guidance

Getting Started

Step 1: Create Your Profile

Complete your mentee profile with:

  • Your Background

    • Current status (medical student, resident, practicing physician)
    • School or institution (if applicable)
    • Year of training or years in practice
    • Specialty or intended specialty

  • Your Goals

    • What you want to learn about DPC
    • Specific areas of interest (starting a practice, pricing, operations, etc.)
    • Timeline for your DPC plans

  • What You're Looking For

    • Clinical rotation vs. non-clinical mentoring
    • Preferred communication methods
    • Geographic preferences (if any)
    • Time availability

Step 2: Browse Mentors

Review mentor profiles to find a good match based on:

  • Geographic location
  • Years of DPC experience
  • Areas of expertise
  • Availability and preferred mentoring format

Step 3: Request a Match

Send a match request to mentors who align with your goals. Include:

  • A brief introduction
  • Why you're interested in DPC
  • What you hope to learn
  • Your availability

Step 4: Connect Directly

Once a mentor accepts your request:

  • Communicate directly with your mentor
  • Coordinate schedules and logistics
  • Discuss expectations and goals
  • Begin your mentorship

What to Expect

Response Times

  • Mentors are busy practicing physicians
  • Allow a few days for initial responses
  • Be patient and professional

Mentor Availability

  • Mentors volunteer their time
  • Availability varies by mentor and season
  • Some mentors may have waitlists

Format Flexibility

  • Each mentorship is unique
  • Format depends on what works for both parties
  • Communicate openly about expectations

No Guarantees

  • Mentors provide guidance, not job placement
  • Success depends on your effort and circumstances
  • The platform does not guarantee any specific outcomes

Your Responsibilities

As a mentee, you are expected to:

Be Prepared

  • Research DPC basics before your first meeting
  • Come with specific questions and goals
  • Review the DPC Startup Kit materials
  • Understand your own timeline and constraints

Be Professional

  • Respond promptly to communications
  • Show up on time for scheduled meetings
  • Respect your mentor's time and boundaries
  • Follow through on commitments

Be Proactive

  • Drive the conversation — don't wait to be led
  • Ask questions
  • Take notes and follow up
  • Apply what you learn

Handle Logistics

  • Coordinate with your institution (for rotations)
  • Arrange your own travel and housing (if applicable)
  • Confirm malpractice coverage (for clinical rotations)
  • Manage your own scheduling

Malpractice & Insurance

[!CAUTION] The DPC Mentor Platform does not provide malpractice coverage for any party. You must verify coverage arrangements in writing before any clinical interaction.

For Clinical Rotations

Before your rotation begins, you must:

  1. Confirm your institution's coverage — Most medical schools and residency programs provide malpractice coverage for approved rotations
  2. Obtain written documentation — Get a certificate of insurance or letter confirming coverage
  3. Share documentation with your mentor — Provide proof of coverage before the rotation starts
  4. Understand coverage limits — Know what is and isn't covered

If Your Institution Does Not Provide Coverage

  • Inform your mentor immediately
  • Discuss alternative arrangements
  • The mentor may decline the rotation based on their risk tolerance
  • Do not begin clinical activities without confirmed coverage

For Non-Clinical Mentoring

Malpractice coverage is generally not required for advisory conversations, as no patient care is involved.

Making the Most of Mentorship

Before Your First Meeting

  1. Do your homework — Read the DPC Startup Kit guides relevant to your questions
  2. Prepare questions — Write down specific things you want to learn
  3. Know your goals — Be clear about what success looks like for you
  4. Research your mentor — Understand their practice and background

During Mentorship

  1. Be present — Give your full attention during meetings
  2. Take notes — You won't remember everything
  3. Ask follow-up questions — Go deeper on topics that matter
  4. Be honest — Share your real concerns and constraints

After Each Interaction

  1. Send a thank you — A brief message goes a long way
  2. Review your notes — Reinforce what you learned
  3. Take action — Apply the guidance you received
  4. Follow up — Report back on progress

Long-Term

  1. Stay in touch — Mentorship can evolve into a lasting professional relationship
  2. Pay it forward — When you're established, consider becoming a mentor yourself
  3. Give feedback — Help improve the platform for future mentees

Ending a Mentorship

Mentorship relationships naturally end when:

  • Your goals have been achieved
  • Your circumstances change
  • The fit isn't right

How to End Gracefully

  1. Communicate directly — Don't ghost your mentor
  2. Express gratitude — Thank them for their time
  3. Be brief — No lengthy explanation required
  4. Update your profile — Reflect your current status

[!TIP] Even if a mentorship ends early, maintaining a professional relationship preserves the connection for the future. The DPC community is small.

Support

For technical platform issues only:

  • Email: support@dpcmentor.com
  • Expected Response Time: 48–72 hours

For all other matters — scheduling, logistics, mentorship questions — communicate directly with your mentor.

[!CAUTION] The DPC Mentor Platform is a connection service only. We do not supervise, direct, or manage mentorship relationships. All clinical and professional decisions remain the sole responsibility of the participating physicians and learners. The platform does not guarantee outcomes, provide malpractice coverage, or serve as an employer of any party.

Thank you for your interest in Direct Primary Care. The future of medicine needs physicians like you.