Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

Exploration of mentor and mentee perspectives of a mentored clinical practice programme to improve patient outcomes in musculoskeletal physiotherapy

Williams, Aled, Phillips, Ceri J. and Rushton, Alison 2022. Exploration of mentor and mentee perspectives of a mentored clinical practice programme to improve patient outcomes in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. PLoS ONE 17 (8) , e0272728. 10.1371/journal.pone.0272728

[thumbnail of pone.0272728.pdf] PDF - Published Version
Download (2MB)

Abstract

Background: A recent randomised controlled trial has demonstrated the impact on practice of an educational programme for clinicians. Mentored clinical practice in musculoskeletal physiotherapy resulted in clinically significant improvements in both physiotherapist performance and patient outcomes. The objectives of this study were to explore mentor and mentee perceptions of a mentored clinical practice programme, in order to identify key factors in the process to improve patient outcomes. Methods: Employing a case study design of a mentoring programme that led to improved patient outcomes, mentored clinical practice was explored from multiple perspectives using a grounded theory strategy of enquiry to derive a theory of mentored clinical practice grounded in the views of the participants. Semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of mentors and mentees were employed along with qualitative observations of mentored clinical practice. Data analysis and collection were concurrent, with analysis an iterative process deriving inductive analytical categories from the data through constant comparison. Findings: Highly informative themes of how the complex interaction between mentor, mentee, patient and environment worked successfully were identified from the data. The mentors’ knowledge, additional perspectives, critical analysis and facilitatory style were enabling factors, as were mentees’ motivation, openness to criticism and commitment to reflect on practice. Themes around potential threats to the mentees’ development were also identified. Overloading or contradictory feedback and lack of relationship with mentees were barriers that mentors could bring; fear, defensiveness, routine working, people-pleasing and lack of experience were potential mentee barriers. A model emerges from the data demonstrating how these themes interact, providing guidance to mentors and mentees to optimise the effectiveness of mentored clinical practice. Conclusion: This study provides a sound basis for future mentored clinical practice, producing a model from key themes from a case study where impact on clinician performance and patient outcomes are established.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Healthcare Sciences
Additional Information: License information from Publisher: LICENSE 1: URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Publisher: Public Library of Science
Date of First Compliant Deposit: 30 August 2022
Date of Acceptance: 26 July 2022
Last Modified: 22 May 2023 06:29
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/152205

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics