as role models and lead by example. This, of course, requires
knowledge of nursing science and EBP. In Sweden,
many nurse managers have not received any training in
how to adopt and implement EBP (Nilsson Kajermo et al.
2008) and they might therefore be unable to support the
nurses they supervise with regards to EBP. Health care
leaders must be given opportunities to attain and develop
the skills they need to model the use of EBP. However,
it is of importance to note that some of the leadership
characteristics highlighted in this review, such as communicative
and supportive skills, can be further developed
by training and education whereas this is not necessarily
true for more personal traits such as credibility, drive and
enthusiasm.
The need for support has previously been reported as
crucial by several researchers (Angus et al. 2003; Udod &
Care 2004; Newhouse 2006) and a supportive leadership
style was found to be an important factor in three of the
seven studies (Nilsson Kajermo et al. 2001; Gifford et al.
2006, 2007). Several studies also noted that the lack of
nursing leadership support can be a major barrier to EBP
implementation (Parahoo & McCaughan 2001; Hutchinson
& Johnston 2006). Nevertheless, it is unclear what
the concept of support might consist of. In this review, as
a leadership characteristic, support was found to refer to
psychosocial qualities as well as instrumental skills. Consequently,
more in-depth studies exploring essential leadership
characteristics would be helpful in the development
and education of future health care leaders.