The document discusses the role of EBP mentors in sustaining evidence-based practice according to the ARCC model. It states that EBP mentors are key to promoting and maintaining EBP through activities like role modeling, building skills/knowledge, and facilitating EBP implementation projects. While advanced experience is beneficial, any clinician with EBP expertise can serve as a mentor. The primary goal of mentors and the ARCC model overall is fostering an organizational culture of evidence-based care.

1. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Chapter 15
ARCC Evidence-Based Practice
Mentors: The Key to Sustaining
Evidence-Based Practice

2. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Overview of EBP Mentors
• EBP mentors are the key to the sustainability of
evidence-based change
• An EBP mentor is typically an advanced practice clinician
with:
− In-depth knowledge and skills in EBP
− Individual behavioral and organizational change
strategies
• But, can be any clinician with expert knowledge of EBP
and a desire to assist others in advancing excellence
through evidence-based care.

3. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Overview of the ARCC Model
• A guide for system-wide implementation and
sustainability of EBP in healthcare organizations
• Focuses on assisting clinicians with EBP knowledge,
beliefs, and skills building to consistently implement
evidence-based care and the building of EBP cultures to
sustain best practices
• First conceptualized to provide a framework for
advancing EBP within an academic medical center and
surrounding community

4. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Question
• Tell whether the following statement is true or false.
• The primary goal of the ARCC Model is to facilitate the
use of mentorship in healthcare settings.

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Answer
• False
• Rationale: The ARCC Model is a system for fostering
evidence-based practice in clinical settings. Mentorship
has been identified as a key strategy in achieving this
outcome.

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The ARCC EBP Mentor Role
• Mentors must ensure that those they mentor and others
with whom they work have a common understanding of
the definition of EBP
• Must possess a spirit of inquiry
• Components of the mentorship role
1. Ongoing assessment of an organization’s capacity to
sustain an EBP culture
2. Building EBP knowledge and skills

7. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
The ARCC EBP Mentor Role (cont’d)
3. Stimulating, facilitating, and educating clinicians toward
a culture of EBP
4. Role modeling EBP
5. Conducting ARCC strategies to enhance implementation
of EBP
− Journal clubs, EBP rounds, web pages, newsletters,
and fellowship programs
6. Working with staff to generate internal evidence
through quality improvement, outcomes management, and
EBP implementation projects

8. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
The ARCC EBP Mentor Role (cont’d)
7. Facilitating staff involvement in research to generate
external evidence
8. Using evidence to foster best practice
9. Collaborating with interdisciplinary professionals to
advance and sustain EBP

9. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Question
• Tell whether the following statement is true or false.
• Graduate-level education (Ph.D. or master’s degree) is
necessary in order for a nurse to perform the role of EBP
mentor.

10. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Answer
• False
• Rationale: A graduate degree is likely to enhance an EBP
mentor’s knowledge and skills, but such education is not
a prerequisite for performing a mentorship role.

11. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Question
• Within the ARCC Model, an EBP mentor is best described
as:
a. An experienced critical appraiser of research evidence
b. A consultant who provides direction on the
implementation of evidence
c. An advocate and guide for the use of evidence in practice
d. A teacher and expert who can ensure compliance with
EBP principles

12. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Answer
• c. An advocate and guide for the use of evidence in
practice
• Rationale: An EBP mentor performs multiple roles, many
of which fall within the scope of advocating for EBP and
guiding others by example in its implementation. The role
supersedes that of consultant or expert critical appraiser
and mentor leads by example rather than imposing
compliance.

13. Copyright © 2011 Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
The ARCC EBP Mentor Role (cont’d)
• EBP mentors act as systems strategists to:
− Strategically plan, implement, and monitor/evaluate
outcomes
− Evaluate the impact of their role as EBP mentors
− Overcome barriers in moving to a culture of best
practice

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Evidence to Support Mentorship’s
Positive Influence on Outcomes
• Personal benefits of having a mentor
• Career benefits of having a mentor
• Benefits for healthcare institutions

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Outcomes of ARCC EBP Mentors
• EBP Mentorship Program at the ASU College of Nursing
and Health Innovation
− Results in significant increases in participants’
knowledge, skills, and implementation of EBP