Interventions That Aim to Impact the Research Activity of Point-of-Care Nurses and Allied Health Professionals (AHPs): A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Substantive evidence related to barriers and enablers that impact the research activity of nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) exists; however, less is known about the components and impact of interventions that influence research activity. This scoping review synthesizes empirical evidence on interventions designed to impact research activity among point-of-care nurses and AHPs within hospital and healthcare settings. METHODS: This scoping review was conducted in accordance with Arksey and O'Malley's framework. Primary, peer-reviewed studies describing an intervention focused on increasing research activity among postlicensure nurses and/or AHPs in CINAHL, Embase, and MEDLINE published between January 1, 2013, and May 2, 2024 were included. Abstracts and full texts were screened by 2 reviewers, and data extracted included study details, intervention details, and outcomes. RESULTS: Among the 43 studies that were included, interventions were commonly multicomponent, frequently coupled with education or training. Core components included research support, mentorship, collaborative activities, academic partnerships, and funding. Multicomponent, evidence-informed interventions were most frequently associated with research-related outcomes. Mentorship and protected time were consistently linked to addressing key persistent barriers, such as skill gaps and clinical workload. Sustained activity was commonly associated with intrinsic motivation and alignment with professional identity. CONCLUSIONS: Reported outcomes demonstrated improvements in individual research knowledge, skills, and confidence; strengthened organizational research culture and infrastructure; and increased individual and organizational research productivity. Healthcare organizations should consider implementing multicomponent interventions to increase research activity among point-of-care nurses and AHPs, recognizing that research-engaged clinicians are essential for evidence-based care and knowledge generation.