Managing Programs

Overview

The managing programs section is primarily directed toward those involved in developing or managing preceptor/mentor programs. This website is based on the assumption that a healthy cycle of preceptor/mentor support is required in today's environment in order to educate, recruit and retain health care professionals, and foster a culture of continuing learning.

Topics included in this section include:

A Healthy Cycle of Preceptor Support and A Healthy Cycle of Mentor Support (see figures below) are models that conceptualize best practices of support (part one) and reward and recognition (part two) in order to realize long term benefits (part three).

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For the purposes of this document, an approach is outlined for developing programs that create and sustain a healthy cycle of preceptor/mentor support. This approach has three phases - planning, implementation and evaluating, with each phase containing several stages. These phases correspond with how this website is organized and can be located on the website navigation bar.

The model below provides an overview of key concepts to be considered:

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Topics included in this section include:

Preceptoring vs Mentoring - explores how these concepts are defined, and similarities and differences between them.

Preceptoring Roles - explores types and purposes of preceptoring, and roles for possible preceptorship participants.

Mentoring Roles - explores types and purposes of mentoring, and roles for possible mentorship participants.

Planning - key concepts in the planning phase include needs assessment, lifelong learning, budgeting and troubleshooting.

Implementing - key concepts in the implementing phase include logistics (issues such as program coordination, policies to consider, workshop design, labour relations and database management), selection process (recruiting, selecting and pairing program participants), communications and workload relief and reduction.

Training and Development - key concepts for initial/ongoing preceptor and mentor training, development and support. Guidelines and information on programs, resources, references and specific tools to assist preceptors and mentors.

Rewards & Recognition - outlines different types of rewards and recognition for preceptor and mentors. Guidelines to develop rewards and recognition criteria, outlines some current practices.

Evaluating - outlines key concepts in the evaluating phase and a model that could be used to evaluate preceptor and mentor programs, current practices and samples of preceptor and mentor program evaluations, challenges, facilitating and evaluating preceptor and mentor effectiveness, and methods for program managers to share their experiences with others.

Diversity - considerations and possible tools to address culturally and geographic diversity in preceptor and mentor programs.

Resources & References - a "clearinghouse" of preceptor and mentor resources, program materials and relevant literature. This section is divided into Collection of Materials, Books, On-line/Video/CDRom and Journal/Other.