Evaluation of a research mentorship program in community care

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2008

Publication Title

Evaluation and Program Planning

Volume

31

Issue

1

First Page

22

Keywords

article, Canada, community care, Community Health Services, education, evaluation, Evaluation Studies as Topic, female, health care quality, health services, human, Humans, male, Mentors, methodology, North America, Ontario, Ontario [Canada], organization and management, professional competence, program development, program evaluation, qualitative research, Research Design, Research program, Research training support, teacher, total quality management, training

Last Page

33

DOI

10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2007.10.002

Abstract

This article describes the results of a qualitative case study evaluating a research mentorship program in community care settings in Ontario, Canada. The purpose of the program was to build evaluation and research capacity among staff of community care agencies through a mentorship program. Data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews, focus group interviews, and written evaluations. Three themes were identified: taking hold, fostering hold, and holding on. Mentees took hold of new evaluation and research skills. Factors fostering hold included positive mentoring relationships and participation in relevant research projects. Mentees struggled to hold on to, and apply their skills within a community care context of challenges such as constrained resources and a mandate to provide client-centered care. The lessons learned include having trainees participate in relevant, time-limited evaluation and research projects, and early implementation of mechanisms to sustain integration of trainees' knowledge and skills within community care agencies. © 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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