Objective: Through the Centers of Excellence (COE) network, the Parkinson’s Foundation (PF) unites a community dedicated to improving clinical care in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Each COE coordinator fulfills the PF mission through the coordination and implementation of quality of care, outreach, and research. PF developed the Mentoring and Networking Program (MNP) with the aim of providing coordinators with information on their role, PF’s structure, operating procedures, resources, education, and networking opportunities. It is a venue to collaborate and enhance the field of PD.

Background: PF’s formal MNP will play an important role in helping these professionals to acquire skills, gain experience, and increase productivity. This translates into more knowledgeable and proactive coordinators who will be able to better engage with team members, patients and families. Mentors/mentees are carefully matched by the Task Force based on areas of interest, mentoring goals, characteristics of the population served and clinical setting to ensure that the learning experience is both as focused and as broad as necessary.

Method: A multi-disciplinary task force of 5-6 COE members and a representative of the PF was established from applications sent out to all US Centers. Guidelines, applications, pre/post evaluations for the mentors and mentees, a global evaluation, and a handbook with important information about the Foundation and resources for the COEs were developed. Phase I (4 pairs) and II (6 pairs), completed post-evaluations and changes applied to Phase III which launched February, 2019 with 8 new mentees. With Match completed, introductory calls made and guidelines and timelines described. Each mentor/mentee pair then sets their specific goals for the year and established call frequency and methods that fit their needs.

Results: With Phases I & II complete, Phase III is underway with eight Mentor/Mentee matches. Phase III will also include an onsite Mentee-to-Mentor visits to further strengthen their exposure to other COE processes, resources, and structures.  Feedback has been positive overall.

Conclusion: We are encouraged by the feedback received that this Phase of the MNP will help current and future COE coordinators gain the resources needed to confidently interact with the PD community. Several mentees from previous phases have elected to become mentors in Phase III, supporting the sustainability of this intervention.

References: Fleming M, House S, Hanson VS, et al. The Mentoring Competency Assessment: validation of a new instrument to evaluate skills of research mentors. Acad Med. 2013;88(7):1002-8. Korentager R. Mentoring and Modeling Professionalism: Clinical Care. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2015 Apr 7;3(3):e361. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000000313. eCollection 2015 Mar. McBride AB, Campbell J, Woods NF, Manson SM. Building a mentoring network. Nurs Outlook. 2017 May – Jun;65(3):305-314. doi: 10.1016/j.outlook.2016.12.001. Epub 2017 Mar 23. Samuel J. Altonji, James H. Baños & Caroline N. Harada (2019) Perceived Benefits of a Peer Mentoring Program for First-Year Medical Students, Teaching and Learning in Medicine, DOI: 10.1080/10401334.2019.1574579

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/implementation-of-a-peer-to-peer-mentoring-intervention-for-center-of-excellence-coordinators/