Reliability in evidence-based clinical practice: a primer for allied health professionals

Abstract Background: Evidence based practice enhances service planning and delivery, clinical decision making and patient care. However, health professionals often lack the time and opportunity to access or generate evidence. Research capacity building is thus an important mechanism for improving health service delivery. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a Nurse and Allied Health Professional musculoskeletal research internship programme and explores the experiences of interns and their mentors. Methods: Sixteen new graduates completed the internship programme (September 2015 – August 2018). Twelve interns and thirteen mentors participated in the evaluation. The evaluation used qualitative asynchronous email-based interviews to explore the experiences of interns and mentors. Interpretive phenomenological analysis of coded transcripts identified principal themes. Results: Early research outputs from the interns include three peer reviewed publications and 21 conference abstract presentations. Two interns were in full time research at the time of interview or had a research component in their clinical role. Nine interns in clinical posts disclosed plans to return to research in the near future. Seven themes were identified: the impact on interns’ careers (e.g. changing perceptions of research); personal impact (e.g. confidence); impact on clinical practice (e.g. supporting evidence based practice); drivers for applying (e.g. assisting career choices); intervention design (e.g. appropriate timing and duration); mentorship and networking (e.g. general support and advice on career pathways); challenges (e.g. continuing with research when in full time clinical practice). Conclusion: The internship programme is an effective model in building research capacity in MSK research for Nurses and Allied Health Professionals, influencing careers, building confidence and improving clinical practice. The internship programme has the potential to be replicable to other clinical contexts nationally and internationally.

Download Full-text

Do Allied Health Professionals Exercise Evidence-Based Practice in Services?

Advanced Science Letters ◽

10.1166/asl.2016.8088 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 22 (12) ◽

pp. 3983-3987

Author(s):

Noor Hidayah Abu Bakar ◽

Norhayati Mohd Zain ◽

Khairiah Abdul Hamid ◽

Mary M Dore Lim

Keyword(s):

Health Professionals ◽

Allied Health ◽

Evidence Based Practice ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Allied Health Professionals

Download Full-text

The Changing Nature of Palliative Care: Implications for Allied Health Professionals’ Educational and Training Needs

Healthcare ◽

10.3390/healthcare7040112 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 112 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Deidre D. Morgan ◽

Deb Rawlings ◽

Carly J. Moores ◽

Lizzie Button ◽

Jennifer J. Tieman

Keyword(s):

Professional Development ◽

Palliative Care ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Online Survey ◽

Allied Health ◽

Further Education ◽

Allied Health Professionals ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Education Access

CareSearch is an Australian Government Department of Health funded repository of evidence-based palliative care information and resources. The CareSearch Allied Health Hub was developed in 2013 to support all allied health professionals working with palliative care clients in all clinical settings. This cross-sectional online survey sought to elicit allied health professionals palliative care experiences and subsequent considerations for educational and clinical practice needs. The survey was disseminated nationally via a range of organisations. Data was collected about palliative care knowledge, experience working with palliative care clients and professional development needs. Data were evaluated by profession, experience and practice setting. In total, 217 respondents answered one or more survey questions (94%). Respondents (65%) reported seeing >15 palliative care clients per month with 84% seen in hospital and community settings. Undergraduate education underprepared or partially prepared allied health professionals to work with these clients (96%) and 67% identified the need for further education. Access to postgraduate professional development was limited by available backfill and funding. Study findings support the importance of free, accessible, relevant educational and professional development resources to support clinical practice. This is particularly relevant for allied health professionals who have limited opportunities to attend formal professional development sessions.

Download Full-text