Evaluation of the Impact of a Peer Mentorship Program on the Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists: The MenTOras Program
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 招募中
- 入组人数
- 40
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Change in perceived professional integration of newly graduated occupational therapists
研究概览
简要总结
This study evaluates the MenTOras program, a structured peer mentorship intervention designed for newly graduated occupational therapists in Aragón, Spain. The transition from university to professional practice can be challenging, and many new occupational therapists face isolation, limited guidance, and uncertainty about their professional role.
The MenTOras program connects newly graduated occupational therapists (mentees) with more experienced colleagues (mentors). Over a three-month period, mentor-mentee pairs participate in at least six structured sessions, either online or in person. These sessions are designed to support professional integration, strengthen self-confidence, promote reflective practice, and provide emotional support.
The study uses a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data are collected before the program, after completion, and six months later to assess perceived professional integration, emotional well-being, and professional confidence. In addition, qualitative interviews with a subset of participants explore their experiences in greater depth.
By fostering peer support, MenTOras aims to improve the early career experience of occupational therapists and provide a model for sustainable mentoring practices within the profession.
详细描述
The MenTOras project is a pilot study developed in response to the lack of structured mentorship opportunities for occupational therapists in Spain. International research highlights that mentorship improves professional integration, emotional well-being, and retention within health professions, but formal mentorship programs for occupational therapists in Spain are scarce.
Study Design This is a prospective, mixed-methods, quasi-experimental pilot study without a control group, using a successive cohort design. Approximately 20 mentor-mentee pairs (40 participants in total) will be recruited. Occupational therapists who have graduated within the past two years will be eligible as mentees, while mentors must have at least five years of professional experience. All participants must be members of the Colegio Profesional de Terapeutas Ocupacionales de Aragón (COPTOA).
Intervention
The MenTOras program lasts about three months and consists of three phases:
- Initiation: establishing rapport, setting expectations, and defining goals.
- Development: structured mentoring sessions focusing on professional identity, reflective practice, and emotional support.
- Closure: reflection on progress and planning next steps.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Na
- 干预模型
- Single Group
- 主要目的
- Other
- 盲法
- None
盲法说明
Neither participants, nor researchers, nor evaluators are blinded; this is an educational and mentoring program.
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 21 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •(Mentees - Recently graduated occupational therapists):
- •Completed a degree in Occupational Therapy within the past 2 years.
- •May or may not be currently employed in the profession.
- •Registered member of the Aragon Professional Association of Occupational Therapists (COPTOA).
- •Inclusion Criteria (Mentors - Experienced occupational therapists):
- •Minimum of 5 years of clinical or community-based practice in occupational therapy.
- •Actively practicing at the time of enrollment.
- •Registered member of COPTOA.
排除标准
- •(applies to both groups unless otherwise specified):
- •For mentors: occupational therapists who are no longer actively practicing.
- •For all participants: current involvement in another mentorship program or structured training initiative with overlapping objectives.
结局指标
主要结局
Change in perceived professional integration of newly graduated occupational therapists
时间窗: Baseline (pre-program), immediately post-intervention (3 months), and 6-month follow-up.
Definition: Newly graduated occupational therapists' perceived integration into the profession was assessed using study-specific items. Instrument: 5-point Likert scale items (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) Areas assessed: professional confidence, sense of belonging to the occupational therapy community, perceived usefulness of the mentoring experience Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater perceived professional integration, including stronger role confidence, a stronger sense of belonging, and a more positive perception of the mentoring process. Example questionnaire items: "I feel confident in my role as an occupational therapist." "I feel actively part of the occupational therapy professional community." "I feel that I have someone to rely on for my professional development."
次要结局
- Change in emotional well-being(Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.)
- Change in professional self-confidence(Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.)
- Participant satisfaction with the mentorship program(Immediately post-intervention.)
研究者
Sandra León-Herrera
PhD Student
Universidad de Zaragoza