Evaluation of pharmacy mentorship programme for new pharmacy graduates

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dc.contributor.authorMcCarthy, Ruth
dc.contributor.authorO'Driscoll, Michelle
dc.contributor.authorFeehan, Aoife
dc.date.accessioned2026-09-08T11:21:04Z
dc.date.available2026-09-08T11:21:04Z
dc.date.issued2026-06-19
dc.description© 2026, the Authors.
dc.description.abstractBackground: Newly-registered pharmacists face immediate professional responsibilities while losing university and preceptor support. This can negatively impact confidence, stress levels and capability.  Mentorship is widely utilised to support early transitions in healthcare professions, however evidence related to pharmacy is lacking. This study aimed to evaluate a three-month mentorship programme for newly registered Irish pharmacists, to support their transition into practice. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate a three-month mentorship programme for newly registered Irish pharmacists, to support their transition into practice. Method: MPharm students from University College Cork, School of Pharmacy were invited to participate in a pilot mentorship programme upon joining the professional register in October 2024. Mentees were assigned to an appropriately trained mentor and invited to meet monthly for three months. Online mentee surveys were administered pre-mentorship (T1), at programme conclusion (T2) and three months post-mentorship (T3). Mentors completed a T2 survey. Quantitative Likert-scale questions assessed emotional and practice-related challenges. Free-text responses captured participants’ reflections on their experiences. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis were conducted. Results: Both groups (n=10 mentees, n=5 mentors) highlighted personal and professional development benefits post-mentorship.  Mentee self-belief in relation to their professional practice increased (50% T1, n=10;100% T3, n=4). Mentors reported increased mentee confidence and improved mentee decision-making post-mentorship.  Mentees reported high programme satisfaction; all T2 respondents would recommend mentorship to peers (n=5). Themes generated related to challenges in practice transition, programme structure and engagement and mentoring relationships and experiences. Conclusion: Mentorship represents a strategy to support newly-registered pharmacists by enhancing early emotional and professional development. To optimise future mentorship offerings, clearer role expectations, standardised programme design and sufficient duration of mentorship are recommended.en
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dc.format.extent2631608
dc.identifier.authororcidMcCarthy, Ruth§0009-0009-1612-217X
dc.identifier.authororcidO'Driscoll, Michelle§0000-0001-5466-4214
dc.identifier.authororcidFeehan, Aoife
dc.identifier.citationMcCarthy, R, O'Driscoll, M & Feehan, A 2026, 'Evaluation of pharmacy mentorship programme for new pharmacy graduates', UCC Good Practice Symposium 2026, Cork, Ireland, 19/05/26 - 19/05/26.
dc.identifier.citationconference
dc.identifier.journaltitleUCC Good Practice Symposium 2026
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/19188
dc.identifier.urlhttps://www.ucc.ie/en/qeu/casestudiesofgoodpractice/goodpracticesymposium2026/
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightscc_by
dc.subjectTeaching and Learning-related output
dc.subjectPharmacy mentorship programme
dc.subjectPharmacy graduates
dc.subjectUniversity College Cork
dc.subject[Pharmacy]
dc.titleEvaluation of pharmacy mentorship programme for new pharmacy graduatesen
dc.typePoster (Non peer reviewed)
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