Email this article 
Hide
Show all
Original Research
Maximising mentorship: Variations in laboratory mentorship models implemented in Zimbabwe
Submitted: 05 September 2014 | Published: 03 November 2014
About the author(s)
Phoebe Nzombe, Zimbabwe National Quality Assurance Programme (ZINQAP) Trust, ZimbabweElizabeth T. Luman, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States
Edwin Shumba, Zimbabwe National Quality Assurance Programme (ZINQAP) Trust, Zimbabwe
Douglas Mangwanya, Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Zimbabwe
Raiva Simbi, Ministry of Health and Child Welfare, Zimbabwe
Peter H. Kilmarx, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Zimbabwe
Sibongile N. Zimuto, Zimbabwe National Quality Assurance Programme (ZINQAP), Zimbabwe
Abstract
Background: Laboratory mentorship has proven to be an effective tool in building capacity and assisting laboratories in establishing quality management systems. The Zimbabwean Ministry of Health and Child Welfare implemented four mentorship models in 19 laboratories in conjunction with the Strengthening Laboratory Management Toward Accreditation (SLMTA) programme.
Objectives: This study outlines how the different models were implemented, cost involved per model and results achieved.
Methods: Eleven of the laboratories had been trained previously in SLMTA (Cohort I). They were assigned to one of three mentorship models based on programmatic considerations: Laboratory Manager Mentorship (Model 1, four laboratories); One Week per Month Mentorship (Model 2, four laboratories); and Cyclical Embedded Mentorship (Model 3, three laboratories). The remaining eight laboratories (Cohort II) were enrolled in Cyclical Embedded Mentorship incorporated with SLMTA training (Model 4). Progress was evaluated using a standardised audit checklist.
Results: At SLMTA baseline, Model 1–3 laboratories had a median score of 30%. After SLMTA, at mentorship baseline, they had a median score of 54%. At the post-mentorship audit they reached a median score of 75%. Each of the three mentorship models for Cohort I had similar median improvements from pre- to post-mentorship (17 percentage points for Model 1, 23 for Model 2 and 25 for Model 3; p > 0.10 for each comparison). The eight Model 4 laboratories had a median baseline score of 24%; after mentorship, their median score increased to 63%. Median improvements from pre-SLMTA to post-mentorship were similar for all four models.
Conclusion: Several mentorship models can be considered by countries depending on the available resources for their accreditation implementation plan.
Keywords
Metrics
Total abstract views: 7935Total article views: 11462
Crossref Citations
1. Impact of mentoring on the implementation of the quality management system in clinical laboratories in Burkina Faso, West Africa
Dame Yenyetou, Issouf Sanou, Patrick Djim-Madjim Madingar, Cheick Ouattara, Emmanuel Zongo, Zeynab Zongo, Abdoul Salam Ouedraogo, Ibrahim Sangare
Accountability in Research vol: 31 issue: 5 first page: 515 year: 2024
doi: 10.1080/08989621.2022.2145957
2. Implementing and Transitioning a Laboratory Quality Management System from ISO 15189:2012 to ISO 15189:2022: Experience from the Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre
Dumizulu Tembo, Joshua S Kaphika, Ajisa Ahmadu, Lovemore Alufandika, Vincent Kalilangwe, Christopher Kukacha, Dumisani Kaphika, Funny T Lipenga, Mirriam Machonjo, Sekani Manda, Mazuba Masina, Emmanuel C Mchoma, Alice C Mnyanga, Innocent M Moyo, Fatsani P Mutala, Patrick Mzumara, Doris Shani, George P Selemani, Brigitte Denis
Wellcome Open Research vol: 11 first page: 144 year: 2026
doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25356.2
3. Developing a customised approach for strengthening tuberculosis laboratory quality management systems toward accreditation
Heidi Albert, Andre Trollip, Donatelle Erni, Kekeletso Kao
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine vol: 6 issue: 2 year: 2017
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v6i2.576
4. A comprehensive review of the SLMTA literature part 1: Content analysis and future priorities
Elizabeth T. Luman, Katy Yao, John N. Nkengasong
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine vol: 3 issue: 2 year: 2014
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v3i2.265
5. Weighing the costs: Implementing the SLMTA programme in Zimbabwe using internal versus external facilitators
Edwin Shumba, Phoebe Nzombe, Absolom Mbinda, Raiva Simbi, Douglas Mangwanya, Peter H. Kilmarx, Elizabeth T. Luman, Sibongile N. Zimuto
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine vol: 3 issue: 2 year: 2014
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v3i2.248
6. Strengthening Laboratory Capabilities in Improving HIV/AIDS and Other Diseases Support in Zimbabwe
Crossman Mayavo
GHMJ (Global Health Management Journal) vol: 8 issue: 2 first page: 245 year: 2025
doi: 10.35898/ghmj-82992
7. Key success factors for the implementation of quality management systems in developing countries
Iryna Tanasiichuk, Olha Karaman, Larysa Natrus
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine vol: 12 issue: 1 year: 2023
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v12i1.2058
8. A comprehensive review of the SLMTA literature part 2: Measuring success
Elizabeth T. Luman, Katy Yao, John N. Nkengasong
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine vol: 3 issue: 2 year: 2014
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v3i2.276
9. Using standard and institutional mentorship models to implement SLMTA in Kenya
Ernest P. Makokha, Samuel Mwalili, Frank L. Basiye, Clement Zeh, Wilfred I. Emonyi, Raphael Langat, Elizabeth T. Luman, Jane Mwangi
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine vol: 3 issue: 2 year: 2014
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v3i2.220
10. The SLMTA programme: Transforming the laboratory landscape in developing countries
Katy Yao, Talkmore Maruta, Elizabeth T. Luman, John N. Nkengasong
African Journal of Laboratory Medicine vol: 3 issue: 2 year: 2014
doi: 10.4102/ajlm.v3i2.194
11. A multimodal mentorship intervention to improve surgical quality in Tanzania’s Lake Zone: a convergent, mixed methods assessment
Shehnaz Alidina, Leopold Tibyehabwa, Sakshie Sanjay Alreja, David Barash, Danta Bien-Aime, Monica Cainer, Kevin Charles, Edwin Ernest, Joachim Eyembe, Laura Fitzgerald, Geofrey C. Giiti, Augustino Hellar, Yahaya Hussein, Furaha Kahindo, Benard Kenemo, Albert Kihunrwa, Steve Kisakye, Innocent Kissima, John G. Meara, Cheri Reynolds, Steven J. Staffa, Meaghan Sydlowski, John Varallo, Noor Zanial, Ntuli A. Kapologwe, Caroline Damian Mayengo
Human Resources for Health vol: 19 issue: 1 year: 2021
doi: 10.1186/s12960-021-00652-6
12. Implementing and Transitioning a Laboratory Quality Management System from ISO 15189:2012 to ISO 15189:2022: Experience from the Malawi-Liverpool Wellcome Research Programme, Blantyre
Dumizulu Tembo, Joshua S Kaphika, Ajisa Ahmadu, Lovemore Alufandika, Vincent Kalilangwe, Christopher Kukacha, Dumisani Kaphika, Funny T Lipenga, Mirriam Machonjo, Sekani Manda, Mazuba Masina, Emmanuel C Mchoma, Alice C Mnyanga, Innocent M Moyo, Fatsani P Mutala, Patrick Mzumara, Doris Shani, George P Selemani, Brigitte Denis
Wellcome Open Research vol: 11 first page: 144 year: 2026
doi: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.25356.1