Setting up a Structured Laboratory Mentoring Programme: A Detailed Study

Introduction: A laboratory mentoring programme can establish and solidify quality management systems and help laboratories achieve accreditation goals. An interactive training approach that provides competency-based training is the need for transferring skills, knowledge and attitudes. Different mentoring approaches have been used with varying levels of success. The study provides a guide to implementing a structured laboratory mentorship programme based on their practical field experience.

Method: The study is based on experience in the Lesotho mentorship model as well as the subsequent rollout of a similar approach in the other African countries of Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Cameroon between 2009 and 2011. The importance of experience and improving skills level skill level for mentors has been examined here as inexperienced mentors may initially need to spend more time working in laboratories than experienced mentors.

Summary: We highlight critical elements to consider when setting up a long-term, sustainable and well-structured mentorship programme. These elements include well-defined goals; sufficient length of mentor engagement on-site; standardised approach across laboratories; measurement of progress using standardised tools; well-structured reporting mechanisms; alignment of the programme with overall Ministry of Health plans; and selection and training of the mentors. These elements will differ in application, depending on countries’ needs and available resources. It has been observed that the WHO-AFRO SLIPTA program can help in setting clear overall goals and objectives. A structured approach allows for scalability, comparison across laboratories and countries and an easier approach to budgeting and planning for countries intending to set up similar programmes.