Abstract
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'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 < .001) respectively. The mentors' post site visit scores of their apprentices (median 29, P = .07) did not significantly differ from the apprentices' 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.
Footnotes
- Correspondence: Kathleen M Richards RRT, Pulmonary Function Laboratory, Primary Children's Medical Center, 100 North Mario Capecchi Drive, Salt Lake City UT 84113. E-mail: kathleen.richards2{at}imail.org.
Supplementary material related to this paper is available at http://www.rcjournal.com.
The authors presented a version of this paper at the North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference, held November 3–5, 2011, in Anaheim, California.
Ms Richards has disclosed a relationship with Pharmaxis. Ms Lester has disclosed a relationship with the Cayston Allied Health Care. The other authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest.
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