Improvements in Clinician, Organization, and Patient Outcomes Make a Compelling Case for Evidence-Based Practice Mentor Development Programs: An Integrative Review.

BACKGROUND

Many organizations struggle to systematically integrate EBP into practice. EBP mentors address organizational barriers and promote the translation of evidence into clinical practice at the bedside.

AIM

To evaluate research findings related to EBP mentor development programs, to identify effective practices, and to assess the outcomes associated with EBP mentor development programs.

METHODS

A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to retrieve studies from CINAHL, PubMed, and Scopus, using keywords and subject headers related to EBP mentorship and quality and safety outcomes. Studies were appraised and reviewed to compare mentor program composition and examine clinician, organizational, and patient outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria: one randomized control trial (RCT), one literature review, eleven descriptive studies, and two case reviews. Most programs included didactic content, an EBP project with coaching, and resources to support learning. The studies found that these programs led to improvements in clinicians' EBP beliefs, practices, and abilities, the organization's readiness for EBP, and patient safety.

LINKING EVIDENCE TO ACTION

There is solid justification for healthcare organizations to invest in an EBP mentor development program.