title: A preliminary evaluation of the effectiveness of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Mentoring Program for Respiratory Care.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In 2008 the Cystic Fibrosis (CF) Foundation launched the Respiratory Therapy Mentoring Program, which pairs a respiratory therapist (RT) relatively new to CF (apprentice) with a highly experienced RT (mentor) from a similar CF care center. We wished to determine if we had achieved our short-term goal of increasing CF-specific knowledge among the apprentices who participated in the program.
  
  
  METHODS
  Selected apprentices were each matched with a mentor, based on characteristics of CF population, clinical setting, center size, and geographic location of their care centers. Apprentices completed a CF-specific RT knowledge self assessment tool prior to and after a site visit to their mentor's center. Mentors also completed a post site visit knowledge self assessment tool regarding their apprentice.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-seven apprentices completed a pre and post site visit knowledge self assessment tool. The median pre and post site visit scores were 12 and 31 (P < .001) respectively. The mentors' post site visit scores of their apprentices (median 29, P = .07) did not significantly differ from the apprentices' post site visit scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this preliminary evaluation suggest that the RT mentoring program has achieved its short-term goal of increasing CF-specific knowledge among RTs relatively new to CF care.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Function Laboratory, Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah 84113, USA. leen.richards2@imail.org
authors.forename: Kathleen M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Richards
authors.forename: Mary K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lester
authors.forename: Melissa J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Chin
authors.forename: Bruce C
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Marshall
mesh_terms: D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000628:therapy*; D005582:Foundations; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors; D015397:Program Evaluation; D058996:Quality Improvement; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D020377:Self Efficacy