| Learning Objective #1: Appraise an innovative, integrated community of mentors' (nurses, doctors, managers)scheme for primary care | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Appreciate the process and outcomes of undertaking qualitative evaluation research in primary care settings |
1)explore stakeholders' personal experiences of the mentoring scheme 2)identify the outcomes of participating in the scheme 3)highlight any changes/developments to the scheme.
Design:
Qualitative Evaluation Research.
Population, Sample, Setting, Years:
52 stakeholders comprising community nurses, doctors, practice managers, mentoring scheme facilitators and administrators. The settings were general practices, health care centres, and an academic department of general practice and primary care. The evaluation was of 18 months duration.
Concepts/Variables studied:
This was an evolving action evaluation research encompassing ongoing review, feedback, and intervention to enhance the development of the scheme.
Methods:
A multi-method approach to data collection included: review of the contemporary mentoring literature and in-house documentation; exploratory interviews with stakeholders in the community and in the academic department; audio-taped action learning sets and Mentoring Advisory Group meetings; tracking the mentee/mentor process and maintaining a fieldwork journal.
The multi-method approach enabled triangulation to enhance the vaidity and credibility of findings. Analysis of data was guided by the objectives of the scheme and included a thematic analysis.
Findings:
The key outcomes for both mentors and mentees encompassed: enlightened and empowering shared learning experiences; support for personal and professional challenges; enhanced multi-professional working; commitment to the scheme. Significant outcomes for some mentees included: deciding to remain in general practice; understanding different ways of working, including using IT support; engaging in collaborative practice; feeling and being able to make changes in practice.
Conclusions:
The scheme is serving the needs of practitioners and building a supportive nursing and multi-professional community of mentors. It is widely valued by the many staff who feel isolated, and for the opportunity for personal reflection, development and support in a safe environment.
Implications:
The scheme is immensely worthwhile but still needs dedicated financial support. Local community networks are now linked to the scheme and a website is proposed.
Back to Setting a Research Agenda
Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004