A qualitative evaluation of an Australian public health nutrition workforce development intervention involving mentoring circles.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a mentoring circle workforce development intervention among a group of public health nutrition novices.


METHODS
The mentoring circle intervention focused on facilitating practice-based public health nutrition competence development and supporting reorientation of practice from clinical services to preventive services. A retrospective post-intervention qualitative semi-structured interview was used to explore the experiences of those participating in the mentoring circle and to make evaluative judgements about intervention attributes and effectiveness.


METHODS
Victoria, Australia.


METHODS
Thirty-two novice public health nutrition practitioners employed in the state public health system.


RESULTS
Key evaluative theme categories relating to the mentoring circle intervention were identified, including the structure and function of the group, the utility of using advanced-level competency items to guide planning, having a safe and supportive environment for learning and the utility of learning via mentoring and on-the-job experiences. These qualitative evaluation data identify the attributes of the mentoring circle intervention contributing to intervention effectiveness.


CONCLUSIONS
This qualitative evaluation indicates that mentoring circles can be an effective workforce capacity-building intervention, particularly in novice workforces characterised by professional isolation and split function roles.
Palermo
Claire
C
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Level 5 Block E, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton Victoria 3168, Australia. claire.palermo@monash.edu
Hughes
Roger
R
McCall
Louise
L
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D008875:Middle Aged; D052756:Nutritional Sciences / Q000193:education*; D009786:Occupational Health Services; D010379:Peer Group; D011361:Professional Competence; D015980:Public Health Practice; D014739:Victoria; D017132:Workplace