Mr Joseph Cobbledick1, Katherine Lawler2, Alisha da Silva1, David Snowdon2
1Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Australia, 2School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia
Biography:
Joe is a Grade 4 Clinical Lead Physiotherapist in General Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He has completed a Masters of Business Administration, Healthcare Management and is dedicated to the professional development of junior physiotherapists and allied health professionals. As a clinician-researcher, his key areas of interest include digital innovation, patient outcome measures, and frailty. In recognition of his research aspirations, Joe was awarded the 2024 Research Starter Grant from the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC).
Abstract:
Purpose:
To investigate the effect of mentoring Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) on the quality of patient care.
Background:
AHPs need to deliver quality care that is effective, safe, and provides positive patient experience. Whilst support mechanisms including clinical supervision and workshops are used to improve patient care, the impact of mentoring is unknown.
Methods:
A systematic review of four databases (MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL, EMBASE) in 2024. Domains of patient care quality included process of care, patient health outcomes, safety outcomes and experience of care. Included studies were evaluated against the Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI).
Results:
Seven studies were included; three randomised control trials and four pre/post studies (median MERSQI 15/18 (range 7.5-17.5)). Three studies investigated mentoring of physiotherapists, two of occupational therapists (OTs), and two had both physiotherapists and OTs. Three studies covering 567 episodes of care in musculoskeletal physiotherapy outpatients provided evidence that mentoring improves patient health outcomes (disability, pain and quality of life) when compared to no mentoring. All involved mentoring by postgraduate qualified physiotherapists and observation of mentee clinical practice. One study of 25 AHPs found mentoring enhances self-reported care processes in paediatric care. There was no evidence that mentoring improves patient experience of care.
Conclusion:
Mentoring of AHPs, particularly physiotherapists, might improve patient outcomes. Mentoring that improved patient outcomes included observation of clinical practice. This aligns with physiotherapists’ preferred learning styles. Limited evidence was available to support mentoring for other AHPs, or for improving processes of care and the patient experience of care.