ScholarWorks > HHS > OT > OJOT > Vol. 13 > Iss. 3 (2025)
Credentials Display
Natalie S. King, OTR/L, CBIS, NBC-HWC; Bryan M. Gee, Ph.D., OTD, OTR/L, BCP, CLA, FAOTA; Sarah Schoen, Ph.D., OTR, FAOTA; Mim Ochsenbein, MSW, OTR/L
Abstract
Background: Occupational therapy entry-level education is filled with opportunities for experiential learning. Post-professionally, few opportunities exist for participation in structured mentored experiences. Mentoring in health care professions is not new; it has resurged over the past 15 years, documenting the nature of mentorship for practicing clinicians, the design of programs to promote advancement, and the effectiveness of these programs. Level I Mentorship by the STAR Institute uses a small group format and entails a blend of live and online instruction, fostering discussion and reflection rooted in on-site learning experiences. This qualitative study aims to understand participants' perceptions of STAR Institutes' Level I Mentorship and its impact on their clinical practice.
Methods: This qualitative study explored data from eight participants who took part in a focus group.
Results: By employing ATLAS.ti Web for qualitative data analysis, involving three raters, and implementing strategies to ensure the reliability of the findings, a multitude of categories and themes emerged, including (a) instructional methodology, (b) professional development, (c) treatment implementation, and (d) assessment implementation.
Conclusion: The STAR Level I Mentorship Program and its instructional content played a pivotal role in aiding clinicians in developing and validating their comprehension of the subject matter. Moreover, it served as a resource for their professional development, equipping them with tools to navigate both opportunities and challenges in their clinical practice.
Recommended Citation
King, N. S., Gee, B. M., Schoen, S. A., & Ochsenbein, M. (2025). Enhancing Occupational Therapy Practice through a Mentorship Program: A Qualitative Study. The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy, 13(3), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.15453/2168-6408.2360
Comments
The authors declare that they have no competing financial, professional, or personal interest that might have influenced the performance or presentation of the work described in this manuscript.