Exploring mentorship as a strategy to build capacity for knowledge translation research and practice: a scoping systemat
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RESEARCH
Open Access
Exploring mentorship as a strategy to build capacity for knowledge translation research and practice: a scoping systematic review Anna R Gagliardi1*, Fiona Webster2, Laure Perrier3, Mary Bell4 and Sharon Straus3
Abstract Background: Knowledge translation (KT) supports use of evidence in healthcare decision making but is not widely practiced. Mentoring is a promising means of developing KT capacity. The purpose of this scoping systematic review was to identify essential components of mentoring that could be adapted for KT mentorship. Methods: Key social sciences and management databases were searched from January 2002 to December 2011 inclusive. Empirical research in non-healthcare settings that examined mentorship design and impact for improving job-specific knowledge and skill were eligible. Members of the study team independently selected eligible studies, and extracted and summarized data. Results: Of 2,101 search results, 293 were retrieved and 13 studies were eligible for review. All but one reported improvements in knowledge, skill, or behavior. Mentoring program components included combining preliminary workshop-based training with individual mentoring provided either in person or remotely; training of mentors; and periodic mentoring for at least an hour over a minimum period of six months. Barriers included the need for infrastructure for recruitment, matching, and training; lack of clarity in mentoring goals; and limited satisfaction with mentors and their availability. Findings were analyzed against a conceptual framework of factors that influence mentoring design and impact to identify issues warranting further research. Conclusion: This study identified key mentoring components that could be adapted for KT mentorship. Overall, few studies were identified. Thus further research should explore whether and how mentoring should be tailored to baseline knowledge or skill and individual KT needs; evaluate newly developed or existing KT mentorship programs based on the factors identified here; and examine whether and how KT mentorship develops KT capacity. The conceptual framework could be used to develop or evaluate KT mentoring programs. Keywords: Knowledge translation, Mentorship
Background Knowledge translation
Despite widespread focus on quality in the healthcare sector, performance reports highlight the need to improve the organization, delivery, and outcomes of healthcare services and programs [1]. Knowledge translation (KT) refers to an approach for improving healthcare and its outcomes by promoting and supporting the use of research in clinical, management, and policy-level decision-making [2]. KT includes knowledge transfer * Correspondence: [email protected] 1 University Health Network, Toronto, Canada Full list of author information is available at the end of the article
or dissemination, which refer to unidirectional sharing of research through mechanisms such as publications or presentations. KT also includes knowledge exchange, which refers to multidirectio
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