A Preliminary Evaluation of the Effectiveness of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Mentoring Program for Respiratory Care

作者：Richards Kathleen M^*; Lester Mary K; Chin Melissa J; Marshall Bruce C

来源：Respiratory Care, 2013, 58(5): 764-769.

DOI：10.4187/respcare.01745

• cystic fibrosis
• respiratory therapy
• mentoring
• quality improvement
• education

BACKGROUND: In 2008 the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation launched the Respiratory Therapy Mentoring Program, which pairs a respiratory therapist (RT) relatively new to CF (apprentice) with a highly experienced RT (mentor) from a similar CF care center. We wished to determine if we had achieved our short-term goal of increasing CF-specific knowledge among the apprentices who participated in the program. METHODS: Selected apprentices were each matched with a mentor, based on characteristics of CF population, clinical setting, center size, and geographic location of their care centers. Apprentices completed a CF-specific RT knowledge self assessment tool prior to and after a site visit to their mentor%26apos;s center. Mentors also completed a post site visit knowledge self assessment tool regarding their apprentice. RESULTS: Thirty-seven apprentices completed a pre and post site visit knowledge self assessment tool. The median pre and post site visit scores were 12 and 31 (P %26lt; .001) respectively. The mentors%26apos; post site visit scores of their apprentices (median 29, P = .07) did not significantly differ from the apprentices%26apos; post site visit scores. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this preliminary evaluation suggest that the RT mentoring program has achieved its short-term goal of increasing CF-specific knowledge among RTs relatively new to CF care.

• 出版日期2013-5