What matters, what is valued and what is important in mentorship through the Appreciative Inquiry process of co-created knowledge

Abstract

Background: A key element in the provision of safe and competent midwifery care is how learning experiences are construed and translated into practice. This process can be supported through clinical/professional mentoring. What constitutes ‘good mentorship’ has been the topic of much debate. While research exploring mentorship exists, there is less research exploring co-created perceptions of mentorship by the mentee and mentor. Objectives: To explore student and registered midwives' co-created perspectives of what matters, what is valued and what is important in mentorship. Design: An adapted Appreciative Inquiry methodology guided this study with thematic analysis used for data analysis. Settings: One regional Australian university. Participants: A convenience sampling, from a population of 39 third-year Bachelor of midwifery students and 39 registered midwives providing clinical supervision for students enrolled in a specific unit of study and concurrently undertaking midwifery practice experience were recruited into this study. Methods: Following the four-step process of Appreciative Inquiry; Appreciate, Envision, Co-create and Embed, imagery cards were provided, and participants selected the image that resonated with their understanding of mentorship. Shared understandings were cultivated to co-create what worked well and what was valued in facilitating a positive learning experience. Results: Trust developed over time is a valued component of mentorship relationships. Similarly valued is the sense of belonging and feeling safe, elements reliant on the establishment of effective and respectful communication. Conclusion: What matters, what is valued and what is important in midwifery mentorship is a mutually respectful relationship between mentee and mentor. This requires time and trust and the creation of a space where the student can develop a sense of professional belonging and feel safe to learn. Further research is needed to explore ways to co-create safe learning environments. Appreciative Inquiry is a method suited to studying this area.