Use of mentor programs in dietetic education.

Persons entering their first professional position can benefit from the career guidance and role models provided by a mentor program. To determine whether mentor programs were being used in dietetic education programs, surveys were mailed to all 667 program directors listed in The American Dietetic Association (ADA) Directory of Dietetic Programs, 1990-1991. Of the 329 (49%) directors who responded, approximately half (47%) reported that their program had never considered including a mentor program. Nonetheless, directors from each of the six dietetic education options reported that their program included a mentor program. Respondents were generous with their comments. Directors identified limited time as the greatest obstacle for implementing mentor programs. Changes in curricular demands were also cited. Program directors indicated a need for more information and models of mentor programs. Networks linking the dietetic practice groups of the ADA Council on Practice and research on mentor programs' effect on retention of dietitians in professional practice are needed.