Mentorship Program for Rural Healthcare Providers
Enhanced patient care and delivery is very important to the health and well-being of Saskatchewan’s rural communities.
College of Nursing faculty member and Principal Investigator Dr. Noelle Rohatinsky, along with Co-Investigators Dr. Donna Rennie, Dr. June Anonson, Dr. Sonia Udod (College of Nursing) and Dr. Olufemi Olatunbosun (College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewan), will be working together to study the use of mentorship and its effect on recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural Saskatchewan. The research study is being funded by the Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation (SHRF).
“The objective of this study is to implement a rural-specific mentorship program,” said Noelle Rohatisky. “A successful mentorship program may help healthcare providers feel supported in their work, and as a result, are more likely to stay in their positions longer. Mentorship would also help healthcare providers deal with workplace transition, assist in creating positive work environments and strengthen ties within the communities they live in.”
As rural communities in Saskatchewan continue to struggle with recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals, this study will provide useful insight on the impact of a mentorship program.