Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists in Aragón (MenTOras)

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

MenTOras: Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists: The MenTOras intervention is a structured peer mentorship program designed for newly graduated occupational therapists in Aragón, Spain. The program pairs early-career occupational therapists (mentees, graduated within the past two years) with experienced colleagues (mentors, with at least five years of practice). Over approximately three months, each mentor-mentee pair participates in at least six structured sessions (online or in person). Sessions follow three phases-initiation, development, and closure-focusing on professional identity, reflective practice, emotional support, and skill integration. Mentors receive orientation and guidance to ensure program consistency. COPTOA also offers topic-specific training to address emerging professional needs. The intervention aims to foster professional integration, enhance self-confidence, and promote well-being among new occupational therapists, while strengthening professional cohesion and retention.

Study summary

This study evaluates the MenTOras program, a structured peer mentorship intervention designed for newly graduated occupational therapists in Aragón, Spain. The transition from university to professional practice can be challenging, and many new occupational therapists face isolation, limited guidance, and uncertainty about their professional role.

The MenTOras program connects newly graduated occupational therapists (mentees) with more experienced colleagues (mentors). Over a three-month period, mentor-mentee pairs participate in at least six structured sessions, either online or in person. These sessions are designed to support professional integration, strengthen self-confidence, promote reflective practice, and provide emotional support.

The study uses a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data are collected before the program, after completion, and six months later to assess perceived professional integration, emotional well-being, and professional confidence. In addition, qualitative interviews with a subset of participants explore their experiences in greater depth.

By fostering peer support, MenTOras aims to improve the early career experience of occupational therapists and provide a model for sustainable mentoring practices within the profession.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Change in perceived professional integration of newly graduated occupational therapists — Baseline (pre-program), immediately post-intervention (3 months), and 6-month follow-up.
  Definition: Newly graduated occupational therapists' perceived integration into the profession was assessed using study-specific items. Instrument: 5-point Likert scale items (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) Areas assessed: professional confidence, sense of belonging to the occupational therapy community, perceived usefulness of the mentoring experience Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater perceived professional integration, including stronger role confidence, a stronger sense of belonging, and a more positive perception of the mentoring process. Example questionnaire items: "I feel confident in my role as an occupational therapist." "I feel actively part of the occupational therapy professional community." "I feel that I have someone to rely on for my professional development."

Trial sites (1)

More Universidad de Zaragoza trials in Spain