scholarly journals Practitioner and Organizational Barriers to Evidence-based Practice of Physical Therapists for People With Stroke

2007 ◽  
Vol 87 (10) ◽  
pp. 1284-1303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy M Salbach ◽  
Susan B Jaglal ◽  
Nicol Korner-Bitensky ◽  
Susan Rappolt ◽  
Dave Davis

Background and Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify practitioner barriers (education, attitudes and beliefs, interest and perceived role, and self-efficacy) and organizational barriers (perceived support and resources) to physical therapists’ implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) for people with stroke. Subjects The participants were 270 physical therapists providing services to people with stroke in Ontario, Canada. Methods A cross-sectional mail survey was conducted. Results Only half of respondents had learned the foundations of EBP in their academic preparation or received training in searching or appraising research literature. Although 78% agreed that research findings are useful, 55% agreed that a divide exists between research and practice. Almost all respondents were interested in learning EBP skills; however, 50% indicated that physical therapists should not be responsible for conducting literature reviews. Average self-efficacy ratings were between 50% and 80% for searching and appraising the literature and below 50% for critically appraising psychometric properties and understanding statistical analyses. Despite Internet access at work for 80% of respondents, only 8% were given protected work time to search and appraise the literature. Discussion and Conclusion Lack of education, negative perceptions about research and physical therapists’ role in EBP, and low self-efficacy to perform EBP activities represent barriers to implementing EBP for people with stroke that can be addressed through continuing education. Organizational provision of access to Web-based resources is likely insufficient to enhance research use by clinicians.

Author(s):  
Debra Bierwas ◽  
Joan Leafman ◽  
Donald Shaw

Introduction: For evidence-based practice to occur in patient management or clinical instruction, a knowledge of evidence-based practice principles is needed, including how to retrieve, appraise, and apply evidence. Attitudes and beliefs are also important, since for effective change in practice to occur it must be consistent with beliefs and needs. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the evidence-based practice beliefs and knowledge of physical therapist clinical instructors and to determine whether differences in self-reported beliefs or knowledge existed based upon respondent characteristics of highest degree, age, association membership, and certification. Methods: For this cross-sectional descriptive study an electronic survey was used to collect data on respondent characteristics and evidence-based practice beliefs and knowledge. Results: Respondents were 376 physical therapists who were clinical instructors. A majority of respondents reported positive beliefs about evidence-based practice: welcome questions on practice (88.5 %, n = 333); fundamental to practice (89.7%, n = 337); practice changed because of evidence (81.1%, n = 305). From rating options of poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent, respondents most often selected good to describe knowledge level: formulate question 39.6% (n = 149); retrieve evidence 39.4% (n = 148); appraise evidence 44.1% (n = 166); and apply evidence 40.4% (n = 152). Nearly half of the respondents reported as either very good or excellent the ability to apply evidence (49.4%, n = 186). There were differences in evidence-based practice beliefs (degree H = 10.152, p = .038; membership z = 4.721, p = H = 27.712, p = z = 2.188, p = .03; certification z = 4.194, p = Conclusion: Respondents frequently reported positive beliefs about evidence-based practice and the possession of evidence-based practice knowledge. However, there were respondents who reported negative beliefs such as disagreeing that new evidence is important. There were wide variations in reported evidence-based practice knowledge. The largest percentage of respondents rated knowledge as good, the middle or ‘average’ rating on the five-point scale. There were differences in evidence-based practice beliefs and knowledge between groups for highest degree, association membership, and specialty certification.


2016 ◽  
Vol 96 (11) ◽  
pp. 1724-1733 ◽  
Author(s):  
Solveig A. Arnadottir ◽  
Bjorg Gudjonsdottir

Abstract Background A positive attitude toward evidence-based practice (EBP) has been identified as an important factor in the effectiveness of the dissemination and implementation of EBP in real-world settings. Objective The objectives of this study were: (1) to describe dimensions of Icelandic physical therapists' attitudes toward the adoption of new knowledge and EBP and (2) to explore the association between attitudes and selected personal and environmental factors. Design This study was a cross-sectional, Web-based survey of the total population of full members of the Icelandic Physiotherapy Association. Methods The Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS) was used to survey attitudes toward EBP; the total EBPAS and its 4 subscales (requirements, appeal, openness, and divergence) were included. Linear regression was used to explore the association between the EBPAS and selected background variables. Results The response rate was 39.5% (N=211). The total EBPAS and all of its subscales reflected physical therapists' positive attitudes toward the adoption of new knowledge and EBP. Multivariable analysis revealed that being a woman was associated with more positive attitudes, as measured by the total EBPAS and the requirements, openness, and divergence subscales. Physical therapists with postprofessional education were more positive, as measured by the EBPAS openness subscale, and those working with at least 10 other physical therapists demonstrated more positive attitudes on the total EBPAS and the openness subscale. Limitations Because this was a cross-sectional survey, no causal inferences can be made, and there may have been unmeasured confounding factors. Potential nonresponse bias limits generalizability. Conclusions The results expand understanding of the phenomenon of attitudes toward EBP. They reveal potentially modifiable dimensions of attitudes and the associated characteristics of physical therapists and their work environments. The findings encourage investigation of the effectiveness of strategies aimed at influencing various dimensions of attitudes toward EBP.


Author(s):  
Mantana Vongsirinavarat ◽  
Witaya Mathiyakom ◽  
Warin Krityakiarana ◽  
Ninwisan Hengsomboon ◽  
Ratchanok Kraiwong

Purpose: Healthcare professionals are encouraged to use evidence-based practice (EBP) to improve the quality of care and the patient’s quality of life. Knowledge and skill set specific to EBP, critical resources such as time and accessibility to databases, and clinician’s attitude toward EBP are needed for successful implementation of EBP. However, little is currently known about these factors among Thai Physical Therapists (PTs). This study aimed to explore the patterns of attitudes, perceived knowledge, and barriers toward EBP in Thai PTs. Method: An online questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding attitudes, knowledge, and barriers from Thai PTs. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the responses. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between personal and work characteristics and the responses related to attitude, knowledge, and barriers. Results: A total of 719 Thai PTs responded to the questionnaire. Based on this sample, Thai PTs had positive attitudes and perceived themselves as having sufficient background EBP education and skills. They were confident in performing a literature search, critically appraisal, and applying research in their practice. However, the frequencies of searching and reading of literature were relatively low. Less than half of respondents understood terms related to EBP asked in the survey instrument. The barriers to EBP were insufficient time and limited research and statistical skills. PTs who were younger and having higher education were more likely to have better attitudes and knowledge. Conclusions: Despite the positive attitude and perceived knowledge of EBP, time allocation, formal training of EBP skills during academic preparation, and continuing education are required to overcome the barriers toward EBP. The discrepancy between the perception and practice of EBP observed calls for further investigation of actual skills and the barriers to the implementation of EBP.


2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 215-221
Author(s):  
Shristi Bajracharya ◽  
Niraj Singh Tharu ◽  
Doly Bokalial

Background: Evidence-based practice is considered as one of the most accepted practice all over the world. Physiotherapists in Nepal have started evidence-based practice, but there has been no study regarding evidence-based practice in physiotherapy in Nepal.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 164 physiotherapists working in different clinics and physiotherapy centers of selected districts of Nepal. A self-reported questionnaire was distributed and collected later.Results: It was found that the physiotherapists had a positive attitude towards evidence-based practice with 95.2% agreeing or strongly agreeing that evidence-based practice is necessary forthe practice of physical therapy and an overall total mean score of 34.73(72.35%) out of 48 and an overall mean 2.8 out of 4. It was also found that physiotherapists had moderate knowledge towards evidence-based practice with an overall total mean score of 19.18(68.5%) out of 28 and an overall mean of 2.74 out of 4. It was found that those having a specialization degree had two times greater knowledge than without specialization. The major barriers to evidence-based practice were obtained insufficient time and traditional methods of treatment.Conclusions: Physical therapists of Nepal stated they had a positive attitude towards evidence-based practice with the majority of the physiotherapists interested in learning more about the topic. They believed that they needed to increase the use of evidence in practice. They thought major barrier as insufficient time hence continuous professional development training that incorporate evidence-based practice were of greater importance.Keywords: Attitude; barrier; evidence-based practice; knowledge.


Author(s):  
Pei-Lin Hsieh ◽  
Sue-Hsien Chen ◽  
Li-Chun Chang

The implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in health care has been focused mainly on hospital settings and there is little research on EBP adoption and implementation among school nurses in Taiwan. This study aimed to determine primary school nurses’ perceptions regarding EBP and to explore the factors that influence EBP in Taiwan. A cross-sectional design was used and the School Nurse Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire was developed to collect data. A total of 2679 elementary school nurses in Taiwan were invited to participate in this study, and 1200 completed questionnaires were returned, with a 45% response rate. Participants’ mean age was 37.5 (range: 31–62) years and the mean duration of employment as a school nurse was 8.4 (range: 1–20) years. The majority of participants had a Bachelor’s degree (56%). The results revealed that participants had insufficient EBP knowledge and skills. However, they had a positive attitude toward and moderate self-efficacy in EBP. The demographic data positively correlated with knowledge, attitudes, skills, self-efficacy, and influencing factors. Certain influencing factors were highlighted. As school nurses play a crucial role in promoting children’s health, they ought to embrace EBP so as to provide more effective services. School organization should play a supportive role with regard to EBP implementation.


2015 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Ziviani ◽  
Shelley A. Wilkinson ◽  
Fiona Hinchliffe ◽  
Rachel Feeney

Objective Ahead of the convergence of two major paediatric services, we examined evidence-based practice (EBP) self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, knowledge and use among allied health (AH) staff in two major Queensland (Qld) paediatric services. This was to determine whether any differences existed based on organisational affiliation, profession and any previous training to inform a strategy to enhance AH EBP within the new organisational setting. Methods All AH staff from the two Brisbane (Qld) tertiary paediatric hospitals were invited to participate in the survey. Using a cross-sectional design, EBP self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, knowledge and use, as well as previous EBP training, were assessed with an online survey. Background demographic information obtained included professional discipline and hospital. Results One hundred and thirty-eight health practitioners completed the survey (37% response rate). Most practitioners had accessed EBP training. Mean scores for EBP attitudes (self-efficacy and outcome expectancy) and knowledge were higher than for EBP use scores. Greater variation was observed across professional disciplines than organisations. Training impacted positively on EBP measures but explained a small proportion of total variance in regression models. Conclusions The results underscore the need to provide organisational supports to AH staff for EBP implementation. Strategies other than training are required to maximally enhance EBP attitudes. The new organisational structure provides an opportunity for this cultural shift to occur. What is known about the topic? Factors affecting the EBP capabilities of AH professionals are complex and are associated with institutional culture and barriers, personal self-belief and individual experience and ability, and can exist at clinician, team and organisational levels. What does this paper add? The data from the present study confirm the emerging literature examining various AH professional groups’ EBP behaviours and ratings with a large and diverse cohort from a variety of backgrounds and across organisations. Respondents possessed a positive attitude towards EBP and moderate EBP knowledge, with these scores exceeding EBP use scores. Organisational affiliation had little impact on EBP measures. What are the implications for practitioners? Although the results of the present study highlight the importance of training in literature searching, EBP and research design and/or analysis, the findings also indicated that strategies other than training are required to maximally enhance EBP attitudes and use by AH staff. To harness the positive approach AH staff have to EBP, strategies such as incorporation of EBP principles and plans in departmental meetings and strategic reviews, as well as strengthening organisational governance in relation to EBP and research, must be developed within the new organisational structure and context; a powerful, but often overlooked, enabler of EBP.


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