Using the notion of ‘gift exchange’ to explore effective mentoring relationships in the placement setting

Dobbins, Kerry and Fell, Patricia (2019) Using the notion of ‘gift exchange’ to explore effective mentoring relationships in the placement setting. Teaching in Higher Education. pp. 1-16. ISSN 1356-2517

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Abstract

Placement or work-based learning is an integral component of many HE programmes and mentors can play a pivotal role in a student’s learning experience. Studies have explored the characteristics of ‘good’ mentors or mentees, but there is limited research that fully considers the interpersonal dynamics within such relationships. The notion of ‘gift exchange’ and ‘gift giving’ was applied to the analysis of students’ views concerning placement learning in a healthcare setting, exploring particularly issues of power, identity, duty and reciprocity. Findings suggest that both mentor and mentee play an important role in the gift exchange but these roles may be more fluid than previously considered. Students may need to tread a fine line in maintaining a good relationship with their mentor and invest considerable ‘emotional work’. HEIs and placement providers should devote time to allow students to explore the interpersonal dynamics of mentoring relationships to prepare them for such work.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	10.1080/13562517.2019.1573218
Dates:	Date Event 29 January 2019 Published Online 16 January 2019 Accepted
Subjects:	CAH02 - subjects allied to medicine > CAH02-04 - nursing and midwifery > CAH02-04-01 - nursing (non-specific) CAH01 - medicine and dentistry > CAH01-01 - medicine and dentistry > CAH01-01-01 - medical sciences (non-specific) CAH22 - education and teaching > CAH22-01 - education and teaching > CAH22-01-01 - education
Divisions:	Law and Social Sciences > Education Life and Health Sciences > Health and Social Care Professions Nursing and Midwifery Life and Health Sciences > Health and Social Care Professions > Health Care Life and Health Sciences > Health and Social Care Professions > Social Care Nursing and Midwifery > Adult Nursing
Depositing User:	Patricia Fell
Date Deposited:	28 Feb 2019 17:22
Last Modified:	04 Aug 2025 13:14
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/7140

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