title: The nature, perception, and impact of e-mentoring on post-professional occupational therapy doctoral students.
abstract: This retrospective study employed a descriptive, quantitative design to investigate the nature, perception, and impact of the e-mentoring experiences of 29 graduates of an online post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program. Study results highlight positive features of electronic mentoring (e-mentoring); how multi-modal e-mentoring supports the accessibility needs of participants; and students' preferences to engage in real-time e-mentoring communication by web camera or telephone, supplemented with e-mail. E-mentoring positively impacted the professional development of participants during and after the online OTD program. As online education continues to grow, a better understanding of e-mentoring will assist in providing exemplary education to meet the needs of adult learners.
authors.affiliation: Department of Occupational Therapy, Boston University, Boston, MA, USA.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Cathryn
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D004500:Education, Graduate; D034742:Electronic Mail; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D008611:Mentors; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D010465:Perception; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013689:Telephone
keywords: Electronic mentoring; Online education; Professional; Support; Virtual; e-Mentoring