Research to reality: A mentorship approach to building cancer control capacity

Background: Despite a wealth of intervention research in cancer control, integration of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) into practice often fails. Many models of training and technical assistance exist but little is known about the effects of mentoring and communities of practices to promote evidence-based practice. The National Cancer institute's Research to Reality (R2R) Mentorship Pilot Program explores mentorship as a strategy to improve public health practitioners' ability to translate cancer control research into practice.

Methods: Six mentee-mentor pairs were matched to collaborate on a work-related project addressing an objective of the mentee's local Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan. Over 18-months, pairs shared experiences and lessons learned on storyboards, participated in webinar trainings, and met regularly. A mixed-methods evaluation included: 1) pre- and post-program competencies self-assessment; 2) interviews of mentees and mentors; 3) content analysis of project activities and deliverables.

Results: Preliminary results suggest improvements in mentees' competency areas. We identified four key successes and challenges to evidence-based practice experienced by mentees including: 1) establishing and maintaining partnerships; 2) data collection and analysis; 3) navigating context; and 4) program adaptation and evaluation. Content analysis of program deliverables and storyboards will assess the extent to which EBIs were utilized and how mentors guided mentees to navigate the "real world" context in which evidence-based decision making occurs.

Conclusions: Mentorship is a promising approach to integrate EBIs into practice by improving competencies of public health professionals, building researcher-practitioner collaborations, developing mutual understanding of research translation barriers and success, and to identify strategies to navigate complex “real-world” issues.