The Comprehensive Evidence on the Effectiveness and Experiences of Mentoring Programmes for Managers in Healthcare: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review.

AIM: The aim of this mixed-methods systematic review is to synthesise and integrate the evidence on the effectiveness of mentoring programmes in terms of managers' leadership competencies and managers' experiences of mentoring programmes in healthcare.

BACKGROUND

Mentoring has a significant impact on leadership in healthcare. It offers benefits for mentors, mentees and organisations by increasing job satisfaction, retention and cost savings, as well as improving patient outcomes. Its importance for new or prospective managers and managerial students is well recognised within training and academia. The existing evidence on mentoring programmes for managers in healthcare is scattered; therefore, comprehensive data on mentoring programmes for managers, encompassing both effectiveness and experiences, are needed.

METHODS

A mixed-methods systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for mixed-methods systematic reviews. A systematic search of the CINAHL (EBSCO), Scopus, Medic, Web of Science, Medline (Ovid), ProQuest and MedNar databases was carried out in November 2023 and updated in August 2025. Literature published in English, Finnish and Swedish was searched, with no restrictions on the year of publication. A narrative summary of quantitative data and a thematic synthesis of qualitative data were used to integrate the findings, following the convergent segregated approach.

RESULTS

A total of ten studies were included. The integration of quantitative and qualitative evidence yielded three comprehensive themes: managerial skills and knowledge reinforcing managers' professional growth, increased soft skills improving managers' personal growth and diligent arrangements ensuring managers' growth.

CONCLUSIONS

Mentoring programmes were shown to have beneficial effects on the development of different leadership competencies. Managers experienced positive improvements in their personal and professional growth. This synthesis underlines the importance of mentoring programmes for managers and provides ideas for future development, including advocating for flexible and diverse models with tailored support and time allocation.