An evaluation study of a peer mentoring program in post-secondary education

Abstract

There has been increasing concern with the health and wellness of students in post-secondary health professions education programs. Dental hygiene is a health profession in which dental professionals work together to meet the oral needs of their patients. Students enrolled in dental hygiene programs can experience a high-level of stress resulting from examinations, workload, financial strains, patient disappointments, faculty-student interactions and a demanding clinical atmosphere. Peer mentoring programs can benefit post-secondary institutions by helping to reduce student stress and anxiety levels, decrease attrition rates, foster teamwork and collaborative skill development and increase interaction between junior and senior students. This study investigated the benefits of a peer mentoring program in a dental hygiene program. Study participants included peer mentors and mentees from a private post-secondary college in Toronto, Ontario. A mixed-methods, evaluation study design applying Stufflebeam’s CIPP evaluation model was undertaken. Evaluation methods included survey questionnaires and semi-structured interviews regarding the merit, value and effectiveness of the peer mentoring program. Eighty-eight (N=88) peer mentees and 26 peer mentors completed surveys, and 10 peer mentor graduates participated in telephone interviews. Findings suggest that peer mentoring is a mutually beneficial relationship encompassing reciprocity between the mentor and mentee. Peer mentoring is positively received and provides peer support, builds friendships and increases knowledge and confidence.