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What matters, what is valued and what is important in mentorship through the Appreciative Inquiry process of
Elaine Jefford1, Samantha Nolan2, Joanne Munn3
1School of Health & Human Sciences (Midwifery), Southern Cross University, Hogbin Drive, Coffs Harbour, NSW 2450, Australia.
Background:
A key element in the provision of safe and competent midwifery care is how learning experiences are construed and translated into practice. This process can be supported through clinical/professional mentoring. What constitutes 'good mentorship' has been the topic of much debate. While research exploring mentorship exists, there is less research exploring co-created perceptions of mentorship by the mentee and mentor.
Objectives:
To explore student and registered midwives' co-created perspectives of what matters, what is valued and what is important in mentorship.
Design:
An adapted Appreciative Inquiry methodology guided this study with thematic analysis used for data analysis.
Settings:
One regional Australian university.
Participants:
A convenience sampling, from a population of 39 third-year Bachelor of midwifery students and 39 registered midwives providing clinical supervision for students enrolled in a specific unit of study and concurrently undertaking midwifery practice experience were recruited into this study.
Methods:
Following the four-step process of Appreciative Inquiry; Appreciate, Envision, Co-create and Embed, imagery cards were provided, and participants selected the image that resonated with their understanding of mentorship. Shared understandings were cultivated to co-create what worked well and what was valued in facilitating a positive learning experience.
Results:
Trust developed over time is a valued component of mentorship relationships. Similarly valued is the sense of belonging and feeling safe, elements reliant on the establishment of effective and respectful communication.
Conclusion:
What matters, what is valued and what is important in midwifery mentorship is a mutually respectful relationship between mentee and mentor. This requires time and trust and the creation of a space where the student can develop a sense of professional belonging and feel safe to learn. Further research is needed to explore ways to co-create safe learning environments. Appreciative Inquiry is a method suited to studying this area.
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