Abstract

Introduction: Research suggests that learning gained through training is infrequently implemented in the workplace. A short-term postcourse comentoring program was developed with the aim of facilitating workplace implementation of learning after a 3-day course for occupational therapists. The program was evaluated for usefulness, successes, challenges, recommended improvements, and associations with changes in self-rated knowledge and confidence. Method: Two months after the course, 42 participants completed an evaluation of the comentoring program with closed- and open-ended questions addressing usefulness, successes, challenges, pairing preferences, and recommendations. They also completed a record on whether or not they had worked on goals nominated in their comentoring contract. Before and 2 months after the course, they completed a self-rated questionnaire on knowledge and confidence. Results: The comentoring program was recommended by 80% of participants. Benefits included opportunities for information and resource sharing, debriefing, problem solving, reassurance, and implementation of ideas. Ninety-five percent of participants worked on some or all their comentoring goals. Although there were significant improvements in knowledge (P

Citation

Ashburner, J., Ziviani, J., Rodger, S., Hinder, E., Cartmill, L., White, J., & Vickerstaff, S. (2015). Improving transfer of learning: An innovative comentoring program to enhance workplace implementation after an occupational therapy course on Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions, 35(4), 270-277. doi:10.1097/CEH.0000000000000000