Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational TherapistsMenTOrasNCT07173283
Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists in Aragón (MenTOras)
A study testing MenTOras: Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists in people with Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists and Peer Mentorship in Health Professions, run by Universidad de Zaragoza at 1 site in Spain.
Trial summary
This study evaluates the MenTOras program, a structured peer mentorship intervention designed for newly graduated occupational therapists in Aragón, Spain. The transition from university to professional practice can be challenging, and many new occupational therapists face isolation, limited guidance, and uncertainty… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 21 years and older
- Conditions the study is for
- Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists, Peer Mentorship in Health Professions, Early Career Transition and Professional Identity
- What is being tested?
- MenTOras: Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 40 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSpain
- Study dates
- 1 Aug 2025to 1 Jul 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 21 years and older
- All sexes
- No healthy volunteers
- Adult, Older adult
Inclusion Criteria (Mentees - Recently graduated occupational therapists):
- Completed a degree in Occupational Therapy within the past 2 years.
- May or may not be currently employed in the profession.
- Registered member of the Aragon Professional Association of Occupational Therapists (COPTOA).
Inclusion Criteria (Mentors - Experienced occupational therapists):
- Minimum of 5 years of clinical or community-based practice in occupational therapy.
- Actively practicing at the time of enrollment.
- Registered member of COPTOA.
Exclusion Criteria (applies to both groups unless otherwise specified):
- For mentors: occupational therapists who are no longer actively practicing.
- For all participants: current involvement in another mentorship program or structured training initiative with overlapping objectives.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Spain1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
Colegio Profesional de Terapeutas Ocupacionales de Aragón (COPTOA)
Zaragoza, Zaragoza, 50009
Marta Marín-Berges, Adjunct Professor, +34651668630, mmarinb@unizar.es
About this study
Official title: Evaluation of the Impact of a Peer Mentorship Program on the Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists: The MenTOras Program
This study evaluates the MenTOras program, a structured peer mentorship intervention designed for newly graduated occupational therapists in Aragón, Spain. The transition from university to professional practice can be challenging, and many new occupational therapists face isolation, limited guidance, and uncertainty about their professional role.
The MenTOras program connects newly graduated occupational therapists (mentees) with more experienced colleagues (mentors). Over a three-month period, mentor-mentee pairs participate in at least six structured sessions, either online or in person. These sessions are designed to support professional integration, strengthen self-confidence, promote reflective practice, and provide emotional support.
Read more
The study uses a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data are collected before the program, after completion, and six months later to assess perceived professional integration, emotional well-being, and professional confidence. In addition, qualitative interviews with a subset of participants explore their experiences in greater depth.
By fostering peer support, MenTOras aims to improve the early career experience of occupational therapists and provide a model for sustainable mentoring practices within the profession.
Read the detailed description
The MenTOras project is a pilot study developed in response to the lack of structured mentorship opportunities for occupational therapists in Spain. International research highlights that mentorship improves professional integration, emotional well-being, and retention within health professions, but formal mentorship programs for occupational therapists in Spain are scarce.
Study Design This is a prospective, mixed-methods, quasi-experimental pilot study without a control group, using a successive cohort design. Approximately 20 mentor-mentee pairs (40 participants in total) will be recruited. Occupational therapists who have graduated within the past two years will be eligible as mentees, while mentors must have at least five years of professional experience. All participants must be members of the Colegio Profesional de Terapeutas Ocupacionales de Aragón (COPTOA).
Intervention
The MenTOras program lasts about three months and consists of three phases:
- Initiation: establishing rapport, setting expectations, and defining goals.
- Development: structured mentoring sessions focusing on professional identity, reflective practice, and emotional support.
- Closure: reflection on progress and planning next steps.
Pairs will participate in at least six mentoring sessions, adapted to the mentee's needs and professional area. Mentors receive orientation and ongoing support from the research team. COPTOA will also organize additional training sessions on relevant professional topics.
Outcomes and Data Collection Data will be collected at three time points: baseline (pre-program), post-program, and six-month follow-up. Quantitative measures include the mentees' perceived professional integration, emotional well-being, and professional self-confidence, as well as satisfaction with the program. Mentors will report their perceptions of mentee growth, satisfaction with the mentoring process, and their own learning.
Additionally, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a subset of participants to explore the mentoring experience, perceived benefits, and suggestions for improvement.
Analysis Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including repeated measures analyses. Qualitative data will be analyzed thematically using established frameworks to capture participants' experiences and recommendations. The integration of both data types will provide a comprehensive understanding of the program's feasibility, acceptability, and impact.
Significance This pilot study seeks to provide evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of a peer mentorship program for newly graduated occupational therapists in Spain. If successful, MenTOras could be expanded to other regions and serve as a model for structured mentoring programs across health professions. The findings may also inform policies aimed at improving workforce retention, professional identity, and the integration of occupational therapists into healthcare and social systems.
- Conditions
- Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists, Peer Mentorship in Health Professions, Early Career Transition and Professional Identity
- Being tested
- MenTOras: Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists
- Keywords
- Occupational Therapy, Peer Mentorship, Professional Development, Newly Graduated Health Professionals, Early Career Support, Professional Identity, Job Satisfaction, Spain, Pilot Study
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
MenTOras: Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational TherapistsOther
Also called Peer Mentoring for Occupational Therapists in Aragón
The MenTOras intervention is a structured peer mentorship program designed for newly graduated occupational therapists in Aragón, Spain. The program pairs early-career occupational therapists (mentees, graduated within the past two years) with experienced colleagues (mentors, with at least five years of practice). Over approximately three months, each mentor-mentee pair participates in at least six structured sessions (online or in person). Sessions follow three phases-initiation, development, and closure-focusing on professional identity, reflective practice, emotional support, and skill integration. Mentors receive orientation and guidance to ensure program consistency. COPTOA also offers topic-specific training to address emerging professional needs. The intervention aims to foster professional integration, enhance self-confidence, and promote well-being among new occupational therapists, while strengthening professional cohesion and retention.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Peer Mentorship Program for Early-Career Occupational Therapists | Other | This arm involves participation in the MenTOras peer mentorship program, a structured three-month intervention designed for newly graduated occupational therapists in Aragón, Spain. Each participant is paired with an experienced occupational therapist who provides professional guidance, reflective practice, and emotional support. Mentor-mentee pairs engage in at least six structured sessions (online or in person), complemented by COPTOA-organized training workshops. The program is organized in three phases-initiation (goal-setting and rapport building), development (professional identity, problem-solving, and emotional support), and closure (reflection and planning for continued growth). Outcomes focus on professional integration, self-confidence, and mentees' well-being, as well as mentors' reciprocal learning. Receives: Other: MenTOras: Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Change in perceived professional integration of newly graduated occupational therapists
Definition: Newly graduated occupational therapists' perceived integration into the profession was assessed using study-specific items.
Instrument:
5-point Likert scale items (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree)
Areas assessed: professional confidence, sense of belonging to the occupational therapy community, perceived usefulness of the mentoring experience
Interpretation:
Higher scores indicate greater perceived professional integration, including stronger role confidence, a stronger sense of belonging, and a more positive perception of the mentoring process.
Example questionnaire items:
"I feel confident in my role as an occupational therapist." "I feel actively part of the occupational therapy professional community." "I feel that I have someone to rely on for my professional development."
Measured: Baseline (pre-program), immediately post-intervention (3 months), and 6-month follow-up.
Secondary outcomes (3)
Change in emotional well-being
Definition: Participants' emotional well-being was assessed before and after the mentoring program.
Instrument:
Study-specific Likert items rated on a 5-point scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree)
Includes perceived emotional stability, coping with professional challenges, and overall satisfaction with mentoring
Interpretation:
Higher scores indicate better emotional well-being, greater stability, and higher confidence in facing professional challenges.
Example questionnaire items:
"I feel emotionally prepared to face the challenges of my professional practice." "The mentoring helped me adapt better to the work environment." "How would you rate the impact of the program on your emotional well-being?" (Likert 1-5)
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Change in professional self-confidence
Definition: Participants' confidence in their professional skills and decision-making was measured using study-specific items.
Instrument:
Likert-type items (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree)
Includes categorical items on self-reported improvement in professional confidence
Interpretation:
Higher scores indicate greater confidence in clinical decision-making and professional competence.
Example questionnaire items:
"I trust my ability to make appropriate clinical decisions." "Has your professional self-confidence improved after participating in the program?" (Categories: greatly improved, somewhat improved, unchanged, worsened)
Measured: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Participant satisfaction with the mentorship program
Definition: Assessment of participants' perceived usefulness and satisfaction with the mentoring experience.
Instrument:
Likert-type items (1-5) measuring:
- Quality of the mentor-mentee relationship
- Usefulness of mentoring sessions
- Overall satisfaction with the program
- Open-ended questions on benefits and suggested improvements
Interpretation:
Higher scores reflect greater satisfaction, perceived program benefit, and willingness to participate again or recommend the program.
Example questionnaire items:
"The relationship with my mentee/mentor was positive." "I would like to repeat the experience." "Which aspects of the program have been most beneficial for you as a mentor?" (open-ended)
Measured: Immediately post-intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted15 Sep 2025
- Study start1 Aug 2025
- Primary completion1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational TherapistsStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Model description
- This is a quasi-experimental, prospective pilot study in which all participants receive the MenTOras peer mentorship program. There is no control group, and outcomes are assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and at six-month follow-up.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad de Zaragoza
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Sandra León-Herrera, Universidad de Zaragoza
- Investigators
- Sandra León-Herrera, PhD student, Principal investigator, Universidad de ZaragozaMarta Marín-Berges, Adjunct Professor, Principal investigator, Universidad de Zaragoza
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07173283
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- SL_CEIN_2025_16
- Acronym
- MenTOras
- Status last verified
- Sep 2025
- First submitted
- 29 Aug 2025
- Last updated
- 15 Sep 2025
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: No individual participant data (IPD) will be shared. Findings will be reported only in aggregated, anonymized form in peer-reviewed scientific publications and conference presentations.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 15 Sep 2025. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Evaluation of the Impact of a Peer Mentorship Program on the Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists: The MenTOras Program
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07173283
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- MenTOras / SL_CEIN_2025_16
- Conditions
- Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists, Peer Mentorship in Health Professions, Early Career Transition and Professional Identity
- Keywords
- Occupational Therapy, Peer Mentorship, Professional Development, Newly Graduated Health Professionals, Early Career Support, Professional Identity, Job Satisfaction, Spain
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 40 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Universidad de ZaragozaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 1 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 1 Jun 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 1 Jul 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 15 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
This study evaluates the MenTOras program, a structured peer mentorship intervention designed for newly graduated occupational therapists in Aragón, Spain. The transition from university to professional practice can be challenging, and many new occupational therapists face isolation, limited guidance, and uncertainty about their professional role.
The MenTOras program connects newly graduated occupational therapists (mentees) with more experienced colleagues (mentors). Over a three-month period, mentor-mentee pairs participate in at least six structured sessions, either online or in person. These sessions are designed to support professional integration, strengthen self-confidence, promote reflective practice, and provide emotional support.
The study uses a mixed-methods approach. Quantitative data are collected before the program, after completion, and six months later to assess perceived professional integration, emotional well-being, and professional confidence. In addition, qualitative interviews with a subset of participants explore their experiences in greater depth.
By fostering peer support, MenTOras aims to improve the early career experience of occupational therapists and provide a model for sustainable mentoring practices within the profession.
Detailed description
The MenTOras project is a pilot study developed in response to the lack of structured mentorship opportunities for occupational therapists in Spain. International research highlights that mentorship improves professional integration, emotional well-being, and retention within health professions, but formal mentorship programs for occupational therapists in Spain are scarce.
Study Design This is a prospective, mixed-methods, quasi-experimental pilot study without a control group, using a successive cohort design. Approximately 20 mentor-mentee pairs (40 participants in total) will be recruited. Occupational therapists who have graduated within the past two years will be eligible as mentees, while mentors must have at least five years of professional experience. All participants must be members of the Colegio Profesional de Terapeutas Ocupacionales de Aragón (COPTOA).
Intervention
The MenTOras program lasts about three months and consists of three phases:
- Initiation: establishing rapport, setting expectations, and defining goals.
- Development: structured mentoring sessions focusing on professional identity, reflective practice, and emotional support.
- Closure: reflection on progress and planning next steps.
Pairs will participate in at least six mentoring sessions, adapted to the mentee's needs and professional area. Mentors receive orientation and ongoing support from the research team. COPTOA will also organize additional training sessions on relevant professional topics.
Outcomes and Data Collection Data will be collected at three time points: baseline (pre-program), post-program, and six-month follow-up. Quantitative measures include the mentees' perceived professional integration, emotional well-being, and professional self-confidence, as well as satisfaction with the program. Mentors will report their perceptions of mentee growth, satisfaction with the mentoring process, and their own learning.
Additionally, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a subset of participants to explore the mentoring experience, perceived benefits, and suggestions for improvement.
Analysis Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including repeated measures analyses. Qualitative data will be analyzed thematically using established frameworks to capture participants' experiences and recommendations. The integration of both data types will provide a comprehensive understanding of the program's feasibility, acceptability, and impact.
Significance This pilot study seeks to provide evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of a peer mentorship program for newly graduated occupational therapists in Spain. If successful, MenTOras could be expanded to other regions and serve as a model for structured mentoring programs across health professions. The findings may also inform policies aimed at improving workforce retention, professional identity, and the integration of occupational therapists into healthcare and social systems.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Not applicable
- Intervention model
- Single group
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 1
- Model description
- This is a quasi-experimental, prospective pilot study in which all participants receive the MenTOras peer mentorship program. There is no control group, and outcomes are assessed at baseline, after the intervention, and at six-month follow-up.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Peer Mentorship Program for Early-Career Occupational Therapists | Other | Other: MenTOras: Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational TherapistsThis arm involves participation in the MenTOras peer mentorship program, a structured three-month intervention designed for newly graduated occupational therapists in Aragón, Spain. Each participant is paired with an experienced occupational therapist who provides professional guidance, reflective practice, and emotional support. Mentor-mentee pairs engage in at least six structured sessions (online or in person), complemented by COPTOA-organized training workshops. The program is organized in three phases-initiation (goal-setting and rapport building), development (professional identity, problem-solving, and emotional support), and closure (reflection and planning for continued growth). Outcomes focus on professional integration, self-confidence, and mentees' well-being, as well as mentors' reciprocal learning. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 21 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Not accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| MenTOras: Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational TherapistsAlso: Peer Mentoring for Occupational Therapists in AragónThe MenTOras intervention is a structured peer mentorship program designed for newly graduated occupational therapists in Aragón, Spain. The program pairs early-career occupational therapists (mentees, graduated within the past two years) with experienced colleagues (mentors, with at least five years of practice). Over approximately three months, each mentor-mentee pair participates in at least six structured sessions (online or in person). Sessions follow three phases-initiation, development, and closure-focusing on professional identity, reflective practice, emotional support, and skill integration. Mentors receive orientation and guidance to ensure program consistency. COPTOA also offers topic-specific training to address emerging professional needs. The intervention aims to foster professional integration, enhance self-confidence, and promote well-being among new occupational therapists, while strengthening professional cohesion and retention. | Other | Peer Mentorship Program for Early-Career Occupational Therapists |
Primary outcome
Change in perceived professional integration of newly graduated occupational therapists
Time frame: Baseline (pre-program), immediately post-intervention (3 months), and 6-month follow-up.
Definition: Newly graduated occupational therapists' perceived integration into the profession was assessed using study-specific items. Instrument: 5-point Likert scale items (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree) Areas assessed: professional confidence, sense of belonging to the occupational therapy community, perceived usefulness of the mentoring experience Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater perceived professional integration, including stronger role confidence, a stronger sense of belonging, and a more positive perception of the mentoring process. Example questionnaire items: "I feel confident in my role as an occupational therapist." "I feel actively part of the occupational therapy professional community." "I feel that I have someone to rely on for my professional development."
3 secondary outcomes
Change in emotional well-being
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Change in professional self-confidence
Time frame: Baseline, immediately post-intervention, and 6-month follow-up.
Participant satisfaction with the mentorship program
Time frame: Immediately post-intervention.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 15 Sep 2025.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. No individual participant data (IPD) will be shared. Findings will be reported only in aggregated, anonymized form in peer-reviewed scientific publications and conference presentations.
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Sandra León-Herrera, PhD student principal investigator
Universidad de Zaragoza
Marta Marín-Berges, Adjunct Professor principal investigator
Universidad de Zaragoza
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing MenTOras: Peer Mentorship Program for Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists in people with Professional Integration of Newly Graduated Occupational Therapists and Peer Mentorship in Health Professions, run by Universidad de Zaragoza at 1 site in Spain.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 15 Sep 2025. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Spain. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Sandra León-Herrera, PhD student (+34605381203, tsandraocupacional@gmail.com), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Change in perceived professional integration of newly graduated occupational therapists (time frame: Baseline (pre-program), immediately post-intervention (3 months), and 6-month follow-up.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 15 Sep 2025; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 6 Nov 2026.