Perceptions and characteristics of the mentor role in research capacity building programs for clinicians: a scoping review and thematic analysis

Abstract Background Research capacity building programs facilitate clinician engagement with best-practice research. Benefits of research capacity in healthcare locations are far reaching, including individual community and health services improvements. Commonly, research capacity building programs include an element of mentoring, to facilitate experiential learning. The role of the mentor is diverse, thus this review aimed to uncover the role through the perceptions of mentors and mentees, with the view of identify the key features of mentoring in research capacity building programs. Methods A scoping review was conducted, using the five-stage framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005). CINAHL, Embase, PubMed and Scopus databases were searched in December 2025. Thematic analysis using Braun and Clarke (2008) was conducted to reconcile the data with the aims and objectives. Results A total of 25 articles were included for analysis. Analysis of data related to mentor perceptions of their role generated two main themes and associated subthemes; Drivers of success (Facilitate research opportunities, Understand the research process, and Embed research into practice) and Clear yet Flexible Mentoring (Understanding their role, and Multi-modal delivery). For the mentees, analysis generated two main themes and associated subthemes about the perceptions of their role; Forms of Expertise (Appropriately Experienced, Regular contact, and Approachable and enthusiastic), and Research and Researchers Capability (Increased research confidence, Facilitated collaboration, and Support to do research). These findings informed the development of a novel framework for mentoring in research capacity building programs. Conclusions Mentoring is a cornerstone of research capacity building, acting as both a leadership function and a mechanism for knowledge translation. Effective mentoring requires clear role expectations, diverse engagement strategies, and institutional support. This review offers actionable guidance for designing sustainable mentoring models that strengthen research culture and improve health service outcomes.