NCT07173283

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

Evaluation of the Impact of a Peer Mentorship Program on the Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists: The MenTOras Program

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 40 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Universidad de Zaragoza · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 21 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

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.

Detailed description

The MenTOras project is a pilot study developed in response to the lack of structured mentorship opportunities for occupational therapists in Spain. International research highlights that mentorship improves professional integration, emotional well-being, and retention within health professions, but formal mentorship programs for occupational therapists in Spain are scarce. Study Design This is a prospective, mixed-methods, quasi-experimental pilot study without a control group, using a successive cohort design. Approximately 20 mentor-mentee pairs (40 participants in total) will be recruited. Occupational therapists who have graduated within the past two years will be eligible as mentees, while mentors must have at least five years of professional experience. All participants must be members of the Colegio Profesional de Terapeutas Ocupacionales de Aragón (COPTOA). Intervention The MenTOras program lasts about three months and consists of three phases: * Initiation: establishing rapport, setting expectations, and defining goals. * Development: structured mentoring sessions focusing on professional identity, reflective practice, and emotional support. * Closure: reflection on progress and planning next steps. Pairs will participate in at least six mentoring sessions, adapted to the mentee's needs and professional area. Mentors receive orientation and ongoing support from the research team. COPTOA will also organize additional training sessions on relevant professional topics. Outcomes and Data Collection Data will be collected at three time points: baseline (pre-program), post-program, and six-month follow-up. Quantitative measures include the mentees' perceived professional integration, emotional well-being, and professional self-confidence, as well as satisfaction with the program. Mentors will report their perceptions of mentee growth, satisfaction with the mentoring process, and their own learning. Additionally, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a subset of participants to explore the mentoring experience, perceived benefits, and suggestions for improvement. Analysis Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including repeated measures analyses. Qualitative data will be analyzed thematically using established frameworks to capture participants' experiences and recommendations. The integration of both data types will provide a comprehensive understanding of the program's feasibility, acceptability, and impact. Significance This pilot study seeks to provide evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of a peer mentorship program for newly graduated occupational therapists in Spain. If successful, MenTOras could be expanded to other regions and serve as a model for structured mentoring programs across health professions. The findings may also inform policies aimed at improving workforce retention, professional identity, and the integration of occupational therapists into healthcare and social systems.

Conditions

• Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists
• Peer Mentorship in Health Professions
• Early Career Transition and Professional Identity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	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.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-08-01
• Primary completion: 2026-06-01
• Completion: 2026-07-01
• First posted: 2025-09-15
• Last updated: 2025-09-15

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain