INTERYem RIMPS Project
Strengthening Healthcare Through Remote Mentoring
Project Launch
On December 3rd, 2024, INTERYem launched the RIMPS project, a pioneering initiative designed to strengthen healthcare in Yemen through remote mentoring. The program connected Yemeni healthcare professionals with mentors and professors based in the UK and internationally, offering guidance in fields such as psychology and other health-related disciplines.
Project Aim
The pilot phase, known as INTERYem RIMPS-I, aimed to build sustainable mentoring relationships that would help Yemeni doctors and nurses overcome professional challenges, enhance their skills, and improve healthcare delivery in fragile contexts.
Implementation
Over the course of six months, six mentors from the UK and Kenya worked closely with six mentees based in Yemen and within the diaspora. These relationships were nurtured through one-to-one meetings held via Zoom, email, and WhatsApp, ensuring both synchronous and asynchronous communication.
Training sessions were delivered, recorded, and shared, laying the groundwork for mentoring partnerships that were designed to last at least a year.
Partnerships and
Methodology
The project was made possible through strong partnerships with Dar al-Shifa’ Hospital in Yemen and Global Health Partnerships (GHP).
Careful mentor–mentee matching ensured compatibility and reduced drop-out rates, while training materials, handbooks, surveys, and certificates of appreciation strengthened engagement. Post-project evaluations captured valuable lessons that will inform future phases.
Results
The outcomes were encouraging. Seventy-five percent of participants reported satisfaction with the quality of the program and with their mentor–mentee match. Half of the participants achieved their stated goals, while two-thirds of mentees successfully addressed pressing career challenges. Beyond clinical expertise, participants gained skills in communication, networking, problem-solving, and mentoring itself.
The project also sparked greater interest in remote mentoring initiatives among Yemeni healthcare professionals.
Challenges and Solutions
Recruitment proved difficult at first, but INTERYem overcame limited responses by leveraging extended networks and LinkedIn. Delays in launch and reporting were addressed through persistent follow-up and flexible scheduling.
Contributions
The project made a significant contribution to organizational growth, expanding INTERYem’s LinkedIn network to over 400 followers and sharing updates through brochures and social media. An organizational framework developed during the project will soon be published as a supplement to an academic article.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, INTERYem plans to present the project’s findings at national and international conferences, including the INTERYem Online Public Health Conference in June 2025. The pilot study will be published in peer-reviewed journals, and collaborations with other organizations working on remote mentoring in Yemen are being explored. Most importantly, the project will scale up to RIMPS Phase II, expanding the number of mentors and mentees involved.
Lessons Learned
The lessons learned from RIMPS-I highlight the importance of flexibility, integrated technology, and local ownership. Flexible scheduling and backup communication channels proved invaluable for participants spread across time zones. Combining videoconferencing with email and WhatsApp ensured continuity even when internet access was unstable. Local coordinators helped tailor content to real needs, increasing trust and relevance.
Non-clinical skills emerged as equally vital as clinical mentoring. Mentees learned how to interact effectively with junior colleagues, develop logical and scientific approaches, and embody the attributes of good mentors themselves. Consistent communication built trust, while contextualized content ensured guidance was practical and culturally sensitive. Peer learning enriched the experience, with participants sharing cases and challenges that fostered collaboration and confidence.
Monitoring and evaluation were simplified through short surveys, informal check-ins, and regular reminders, ensuring progress was tracked without burdening participants. Continuity emerged as a key factor in capacity-building, underscoring the need for long-term mentorship schemes. Safety considerations also shaped participation, as disruptions from airstrikes or displacement required trauma-informed approaches and gentle check-ins from international experts.
Finally, recognition and encouragement proved essential, reminding Yemeni healthcare workers who often feel unseen or undervalued that their efforts matter and are deeply appreciated.
