Survival of the Profession Through Effective Student Mentoring

Autonomous audiological practice has been described as essential to the survival of the profession of audiology. One way to ensure the smooth transition of practice ownership from one generation to the next is through effective and holistic mentoring for audiology students during their educational programs. External clinical supervisors often play a vital role in this process. In this editorial, we’ll explore why audiology supervision and mentoring is so important, describe the qualities of an effective mentor, and provide advice for external supervisors to enhance the mentoring experience. The following is advice for practitioners interested in mentoring students beyond the Xs and Os of audiology, particularly those students with a keen interest in audiology business. 1. CREATING A SPACE THAT FOSTERS INDEPENDENCE AND BUILDS CONFIDENCE Creating an environment that fosters independence and builds confidence is essential when mentoring students. Students must feel comfortable in the learning space, which can be achieved by encouraging them to ask questions, collaborate with others, and engage in self-directed learning. It is important to recognize that each student has a unique learning style, and as a supervisor, it is essential to determine those differences to help ensure all students are receiving information in a way that works best for them. Have a conversation early in the experience about the best means to communicate important information and work out a plan for this exchange. 2. FREEDOM TO MAKE MISTAKES AND ASK QUESTIONS It is important to create an environment where students feel comfortable making mistakes and asking questions. Students should be encouraged to take risks and explore different approaches, even if their attempts may not be successful. By creating a space where students can ask questions and seek guidance, supervisors can identify mistakes early and provide corrective feedback to prevent them from becoming ingrained. Early hands-on experience, as opposed to simple observation, is crucial. By allowing students to take the lead in the beginning of their clinical rotations, supervisors can quickly identify strengths and weaknesses and provide proper guidance and correction where needed. As students progress in their skills, it’s essential to give them additional freedom and independence. This should evolve to allowing them to work with more autonomy in appointments. By gradually increasing their independence, students will develop the skills and confidence needed to become successful clinicians and business professionals. 3. SELL IS NOT A FOUR-LETTER WORD A substantial challenge in audiology is combating stereotypes and negative perceptions surrounding the sale of hearing aids. Unfortunately, some of these connotations formed early in a student’s academic training can discourage students and audiologists alike from focusing on this critical aspect of their practice. It is essential to recognize that hearing aids are often the only form of treatment for the vast majority of patients, and providers who are uncomfortable discussing hearing aid options may not be providing patients with the support they need. Suggestions for introducing sales opportunities include providing independence with more relaxed appointments such as patients with full coverage and no out-of-pocket cost, or those who scheduled appointments specifically seeking new devices and expressed a desire to purchase. 4. “MINDING YOUR BUSINESS” As a profession, audiology relies heavily on the availability of preceptors and quality placements to ensure that students meet the requirements for certification and licensure. It is essential to recognize our responsibility to mentor and guide students to help ensure the health of the profession. It is also important that we model a spirit of collegiality and respect for others in the field. By providing superior placements and beneficial learning experiences, we can ensure that students are exposed to best practices and equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed. Failure to provide quality placements operating with best practices under peer-reviewed guidelines leaves the door open for people who may not be trained by providers who are committed to upholding industry standards that deliver premium care to patients. Valuable experience includes exposure to proper time management, organization, and exposure to the different roles and responsibilities within a practice. A thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of every person involved in practice operation will provide the student a more comprehensive and meaningful experience upon which to build their audiology business knowledge. 5. DISCUSSING AUDIOLOGY AND GENERAL BUSINESS PRACTICES It is understandable that some supervisors are fearful of sharing proprietary information about their practice with students during the supervised experience. This may be due to the fact that students often rotate through other practices in their area of service and could inadvertently share sensitive information with other supervisors. If this is the case, consider talking with the student about business practices in more general terms by omitting specific details of your operation. For example, teaching students how to interpret and make decisions about practice operations (e.g., determining how costs are being controlled) and using a profit and loss (P&L) statement with arbitrary values can be valuable. During this process, students gain useful information and experience without compromising proprietary details of the practice. Financial metrics for all aspects of practice operation should be discussed with the student to provide a well-rounded experience. SUMMING IT UP External supervisors play a vital role in student mentoring and are crucial to the profession by providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experience required to effectively operate autonomous audiology practices. The guidance imparted through fostering a supportive communication environment coaches students to grow in their clinical independence, make appropriate treatment suggestions, and develop business and management skills for future endeavors. The roles of external supervisors extends beyond simply training students to be effective clinicians by training in other areas related to professionalism and the roles and responsibilities involved in practice operation. The importance of effective mentoring of audiology students cannot be understated.