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. 2017;69(1):38-46.
doi: 10.3138/ptc.2015-52.

Exploring Mentorship from the Perspective of Physiotherapy Mentors in Canada

Lucia Yoon  1 , Taylor Campbell  1 , Wesley Bellemore  1 , Nadine Ghawi  1 , Pauline Lai  1 , Laura Desveaux  2 , Martine Quesnel  1 , Dina Brooks  3
Affiliations

Exploring Mentorship from the Perspective of Physiotherapy Mentors in Canada

Lucia Yoon et al. Physiother Can. 2017.

Abstract
in English, French

Purpose: This study explored the factors that influence mentors in the profession of physiotherapy (PT) in Canada when engaging in a mentorship relationship. Methods: We conducted a quantitative, cross-sectional, Web-based survey. The target population consisted of Canadian physiotherapists who had experience as mentors. We used a modified Dillman approach to disseminate an online questionnaire to members of the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and its divisions using their respective e-blasts. We collected data on the nature and extent, facilitators, barriers, and benefits of mentorship and then analyzed them using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 302 respondents were included in this study. They reported being a mentor to fellow PT colleagues (91%), undergraduate students (85%), graduate students (64%), and inter-professional colleagues (64%). We found that although many factors facilitated the respondents' ability to mentor, barriers to mentorship had minimal impact. Responses also reflected many perceived benefits of mentorship. Conclusions: This study provides novel evidence relating to the experience of mentorship from the perspective of mentors in the profession of PT. It reinforces the literature by highlighting the positive aspects of mentorship, and it underscores the continued need for support from professional associations, institutions, and physiotherapists to improve current mentorship experiences in PT.

Objectif : analyser les facteurs qui influencent les mentors dans la profession de physiothérapeute au Canada lorsqu'ils s'engagent dans une relation de mentorat. Méthodes : nous avons mené une enquête quantitative transversale sur le Web. La population cible était composée de physiothérapeutes canadiens ayant de l'expérience comme mentor. Nous avons utilisé une méthode de Dillman modifiée pour diffuser un questionnaire en ligne aux membres de l'Association canadienne de physiothérapie et à ses divisions au moyen de leurs envois de courriels respectifs. Nous avons recueilli des données sur la nature et la portée, les facteurs facilitants, les obstacles et les avantages du mentorat, puis les avons analysées à l'aide de statistiques descriptives. Résultats : au total, 302 répondants ont participé à l'étude. Ils ont indiqué être mentors pour des collègues physiothérapeutes (91 %), pour des étudiants de premier cycle (85 %), pour des étudiants des cycles supérieurs (64 %) et pour des collègues interprofessionnels (64 %). Nous avons constaté que de nombreux facteurs facilitent la capacité des répondants à faire du mentorat, alors que les obstacles au mentorat ont peu de répercussions. Les réponses reflètent aussi les nombreux avantages perçus du mentorat. Conclusions : cette étude fournit de nouvelles données probantes sur l'expérience de mentorat du point de vue des mentors au sein de la profession de physiothérapeute. Elle va dans le sens de la littérature en soulignant les aspects positifs du mentorat et met en évidence le besoin continu de soutien de la part des associations professionnelles, des établissements scolaires et des physiothérapeutes pour améliorer les expériences de mentorat en physiothérapie.

Keywords: mentorship; survey.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The nature of mentorship among Canadian physiotherapy mentors (n=302).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The extent of mentorship: self-reported components of mentorship activities engaged in by Canadian physiotherapy mentors (n=301).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Perceived facilitators of mentorship from the perspective of Canadian physiotherapy mentors (n=299).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Perceived barriers to mentorship from the perspective of Canadian physiotherapy mentors (n=295).
Figure 5
Figure 5
Perceived benefits of mentorship among Canadian physiotherapy mentors (n=295).
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