Psychometric properties of the evidence-based practice mentorship scale

Background Evidence-based practice (EBP) improves the quality of care, decreases healthcare costs, and improves job satisfaction. However, nurses and other clinicians, as well as their institutions, struggle to consistently implement EBP. The Advancing Research and Clinical practice through close Collaboration (ARCC (c)) Model established that a cadre of EBP mentors is key to improving EBP knowledge, beliefs, competency, and implementation in clinicians. Yet, there has not been a valid and reliable measure of EBP mentorship. Aims The aim of this study was to determine the psychometric properties of the new 8-item EBP Mentorship Scale. This scale measures the degree to which clinicians perceive that EBP mentorship is available to them. Methods The EBP Mentorship Scale data were obtained from a previous national cross-sectional descriptive study with 2344 nurses from 19 hospitals and healthcare systems. Descriptive statistics summarized the sample and distributions of the scale items. Cronbach's alpha, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were conducted. Results Cronbach's alpha of the scale was 0.99. A one-factor model was supported by EFA and retained for CFA. Model fit indices for CFA indicated a good fit. Linking evidence to action The new EBP Mentorship Scale is valid and reliable and can be used to assess the level of EBP mentorship support available in hospitals and healthcare systems. EBP mentors are key in sustaining an EBP organizational culture and enhancing clinician EBP knowledge, beliefs, competency, and implementation.