'Clinician to Clinician' Connections- A New Mentoring Program

Do you consider yourself a mentor? And if so, have you considered mentoring your peers in clinical education? Mentoring is a process that allows seasoned PTs, who currently serve as CCCE’s and CI’s, to advise and coach the next generation of clinical educators. Mentoring helps build connections between sites and reinforces the current vision of the physical therapy, which is based on the principles of a clear professional identity, best practice standards, and collaboration.

In addition to being a good concept to further the physical therapy profession, there is also research to suggest that mentoring is an effective process for advancing individuals. Recently, in a 2013 study by Stickler, Grapczynski, and Ritch, it was noted that mentoring students positively impacts student development in four areas: core values, clinical skills, professional growth, and community connections.1 In addition, a 2013 study by Ezzat and Maly noted that mentoring helped to build a shared passion for learning that allowed clinicians to adapt to the changing health care system, advance patient care, and develop the profession.2 Mentoring matters and I believe it will be a valuable process in moving clinical education forward in the future.

To that end, the OH-KY Consortium has decided to put forward efforts to develop a ‘Clinician to Clinician Mentoring Program’ that will be housed on our website. The purpose of the newly developed program is to offer an easy means for clinicians to connect with one another on matters related to clinical education. We believe that development of such a resource will facilitate collaboration and innovation in clinical education.

Currently we are in the process of gathering names of those who would be interested in serving as mentors. We would like to extend a personal invitation to each of you reading this blog to consider adding your name to our list. If agreeable, your submitted information, as listed below, will be posted on the consortia web site (http://www.okptce.com/). Over time, novice clinical faculty may correspond with you on matters concerning clinical education and you would be asked to serve as a mentor. If at any time, you would like to be removed from the list, you can notify any consortia member to do so. With this understanding, please submit the following for posting on our website to Amy Both (amy.both@utoledo.edu):

• Name & Credentials

• Role in Clinical Education (e.g. CCCE, CI)

• Preferred Contact Information

• Site name

• Practice Setting (e.g. Acute Care, Outpatient Orthopedic Clinic, SNF, etc.)

• Areas of expertise in clinical education (2:1 Model of Supervision, Assessment, Working with Students with Disabilities, etc.)

• State Region/ District

Alternatively, if you are reading this and are newer to PT Clinical Education, please think about reaching out to these mentors once the Mentoring program is formed.

On behalf of the OH KY Consortium of PT Programs, I would like to thank you for your support of clinical education. Whether you are a novice clinical faculty member or an experienced one, we appreciate your support of clinical education-THANK YOU!!

References:

1. Stickler, Laurie; Grapczynski, Cynthia; Ritch, John. Student perceptions of outcomes from participation in physical therapy pro bono clinics: a qualitative study. Journal of Allied Health, Volume 42, Number 1, Spring 2013, pp. 46-55(10)

2. AM Ezzat, MR Maly. Building passion develops meaningful mentoring relationships among canadian physiotherapists. Physiotherapy Canada. 2012; 64 (1): 77-85.