WellSpan Medical Group, a non-profit healthcare organization based in central Pennsylvania, has developed a provider mentoring program to support new and early career providers.
The program, which was launched in 2016, is designed to provide new providers with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles and to help them develop relationships with more experienced providers.
The provider mentoring program is open to all new providers who join WellSpan Medical Group, including physicians, advanced practice providers, and behavioral health providers. Each new provider is paired with an experienced provider who serves as their mentor. The mentor and mentee meet regularly to discuss clinical topics, professional development, and career goals.
The provider mentoring program has been successful for WellSpan Medical Group, helping to improve provider retention rates and improve the quality of patient care. The program has also received recognition from healthcare organizations across the country for its innovative approach to provider support and development.
One of the key benefits of the provider mentoring program is that it provides new providers with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their roles. New providers often face a steep learning curve as they adjust to the demands of a new organization and a new patient population. The mentorship provided through the program can help new providers navigate this learning curve by providing guidance on clinical best practices, patient care strategies, and professional development opportunities.
Another benefit of the provider mentoring program is that it helps new providers develop relationships with more experienced providers. These relationships can be valuable for new providers as they navigate the challenges of their roles and seek to build a network of professional contacts. The mentoring relationship also helps to foster a sense of community within the organization, as providers connect and share knowledge and expertise.
The provider mentoring program has also been successful in improving the quality of patient care. By providing new providers with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, the program helps to ensure that patients receive high-quality care from well-prepared providers. The program also helps to ensure that new providers are able to provide continuity of care for patients, reducing the risk of patient dissatisfaction and improving patient outcomes.
In addition to the benefits for new providers and patients, the provider mentoring program has also been a success from a financial standpoint. By improving provider retention rates and reducing turnover costs, the program has helped to save the organization money. The program has also been shown to improve employee satisfaction, which can lead to increased productivity and improved patient outcomes.
Overall, the provider mentoring program developed by WellSpan Medical Group has been a success, providing valuable support and development opportunities to new providers while improving the quality of patient care. The program serves as an innovative model for other healthcare organizations looking to support their providers and improve patient outcomes.