Development of an e-mentoring intervention for support workers in aged care: A qualitative study

The current study was part of a larger project to develop an e-mentoring intervention for aged care support workers in New Zealand. In Phase 1, we explored support workers' perspectives of e-mentoring. In Phase 2, we investigated the intervention's usability, acceptability, and its perceived barriers, facilitators, and benefits.

Guided by the Medical Research Council framework for developing complex interventions, Phase 1 involved a focus groups with aged care support workers, exploring their views on e-mentoring. In Phase 2, multiple qualitative research methods were used to explore the proposed e-mentoring intervention, its usability, acceptability, perceived barriers, facilitators, and benefits.

Participants in Phase 1 expressed interest in being involved in e-mentoring. They reported expectations that it would be adaptive and holistic, with the mentees being able to choose their specific goals. Key training needs identified revolved around confidentiality and privacy, building rapport, and addressing technical issues. The key benefits noted by participants included job satisfaction, feeling valued, and increased motivation. Building on these findings, an intervention manual was developed and investigated in Phase 2. Participants reported the proposed format and process were clear and straightforward, and the six-month duration appropriate, while some other areas were considered to require further refinement. The findings of this study highlight the value of involving the potential users and stakeholders in enhancing future interventions' acceptability and usability.

The proposed intervention was found to be acceptable to support workers. Participants emphasised the importance of mentor-mentee match quality, and a preference for like-minded people to be matched. Several areas for refinements were identified, related to the intervention training, intervention manuals' clarity, and programme's and roles' expectations. The proposed intervention's feasibility will be tested in a six-month trial.