Peer Mentoring in Clinical Education

Abstract

Clinical training methods have been discussed among disciplines with a variety of methods having been used with some success. However, there is limited empirical evidence to support particular methods over others. The purpose of this research was to initiate a pilot study that provided empirical evidence for clinical shadowing as a proposed clinical training method. The clinical shadowing included focused clinical observations and supported clinical experiences in a series of sessions led by graduate student clinicians. Empirical data was collected from undergraduate students to identify the perceived level of preparedness as a measure of effectiveness of a “shadowing experience” prior to entering their first semester of independent clinical experience in an effort to document increased effectiveness during clinical training.