Abstract
Introduction: The Mountain Model (MM) is the first published framework to merge evidence-based practice and quality improvement (EBPQI) paradigms. The primary focus of the framework is to guide practitioners in healthcare and related settings with translating research for sustained practice improvements. The nurse-led MM is in use and being cited in the literature, however the efficacy of the MM is anecdotal and is not yet supported by empirical evidence for its validity.
Design: A Delphi study of currently practicing evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) experts spanning eight patient-facing disciplines in healthcare was conducted in September and October 2025 with three iterative rounds.
Methods: Online survey methods were used and the standard for Conducting and REporting of DElphi Studies (CREDES) was followed.
Results: Independent analysis was completed following each round. The multi-disciplinary expert panel reached consensus on 18 items but lacked agreement on 4 items. The MM was ranked as high perceived value and the expert panel achieved consensus that use of this guiding
framework is very likely to reduce research to practice translation time. Study results inform potential revisions to the MM with an interdisciplinary focus addition of identification of a local problem.
Conclusion: Understanding the value of EBPQI, as a new guide for research translation from the empirical world to the practice setting, has the potential to create synergies across the evidence continuum with scalable, transferable healthcare improvements with less cognitive load and increased simplicity.
Nursing Implications: There is strong clinical significance as this nurse-led model can be used not just in nursing, but across many practice disciplines. Clinicians reported excitement about a model that offered a simplified way to guide evidence-informed improvement initiatives from practice settings. Interdisciplinary consensus was strong that the merger of EBP and QI (EBPQI) was very likely to reduce research to practice translation time.
Notes
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Sigma Membership
Beta Beta (Houston)
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Delphi Study
Research Approach
Mixed/Multi Method Research
Keywords:
Implementation Science, Academic-Clinical Partnership, Global Leadership, Nursing Models, Professional Practice, Interdisciplinary Research
Recommended Citation
Dunlap, Jayne Jennings; Waldrop, Julee; and Reynolds, Staci, "Optimizing Research to Practice Translation Time Through the Mountain Model: A Delphi Study" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 271.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/271
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-09-06
Optimizing Research to Practice Translation Time Through the Mountain Model: A Delphi Study
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Introduction: The Mountain Model (MM) is the first published framework to merge evidence-based practice and quality improvement (EBPQI) paradigms. The primary focus of the framework is to guide practitioners in healthcare and related settings with translating research for sustained practice improvements. The nurse-led MM is in use and being cited in the literature, however the efficacy of the MM is anecdotal and is not yet supported by empirical evidence for its validity.
Design: A Delphi study of currently practicing evidence-based practice (EBP) and quality improvement (QI) experts spanning eight patient-facing disciplines in healthcare was conducted in September and October 2025 with three iterative rounds.
Methods: Online survey methods were used and the standard for Conducting and REporting of DElphi Studies (CREDES) was followed.
Results: Independent analysis was completed following each round. The multi-disciplinary expert panel reached consensus on 18 items but lacked agreement on 4 items. The MM was ranked as high perceived value and the expert panel achieved consensus that use of this guiding
framework is very likely to reduce research to practice translation time. Study results inform potential revisions to the MM with an interdisciplinary focus addition of identification of a local problem.
Conclusion: Understanding the value of EBPQI, as a new guide for research translation from the empirical world to the practice setting, has the potential to create synergies across the evidence continuum with scalable, transferable healthcare improvements with less cognitive load and increased simplicity.
Nursing Implications: There is strong clinical significance as this nurse-led model can be used not just in nursing, but across many practice disciplines. Clinicians reported excitement about a model that offered a simplified way to guide evidence-informed improvement initiatives from practice settings. Interdisciplinary consensus was strong that the merger of EBP and QI (EBPQI) was very likely to reduce research to practice translation time.
Description
Participants will learn about results and nursing implications from a nurse-led, interdisciplinary Delphi study focused on a previously unexplored topic. Actionable dissemination-focused insights will be shared including implications for nursing research, leadership, practice and policy.