RESULTS Many physiotherapists hold positive attitudes towards EBP .
However , this does not necessarily translate into consistent , high- quality EBP .
Many barriers to EBP implementation are apparent , including : lack of time and skills , and misperceptions of EBP .
BACKGROUND Despite clear benefits of the Evidence -Based Practice ( EBP ) approach to ensuring quality and consistency of care , its uptake within physiotherapy has been inconsistent .
OBJECTIVES Synthesis e the findings of research into EBP barriers , facilitators and interventions in physiotherapy and identify methods of enhancing adoption and implementation .
Survey of the perceived professional, educational and personal needs of physiotherapists in primary care and community settings.
The emphasis of UK Government policy on primary -care-based services has led to more physiotherapists working in the community . The aims of the present study were to identify the perceived professional , educational and personal needs of community physiotherapists , and to determine good practice in meeting these needs . A survey of physiotherapists working in 15 National Health Service community trusts in the West Midl and s was carried out in September 2000 . The survey question naire was developed through focus groups and mailed to a r and om sample of 200 community physiotherapists . The response rate was 67 % , and the median age group of the respondents was 21 - 30 years . The participants worked mainly in ' urban but not inner city ' areas , most commonly in domiciliary ( 31 % , n = 38 ) and general practitioner surgery/health centre ( 26 % , n = 32 ) locations . Fifty-one per cent ( n = 66 ) of respondents had no specific learning objectives for continuing professional development ( CPD ) ; those with such objectives were more positive as to their helpfulness than those without them ( Mann-Whitney U-test z = 2.519 , P = 0.012 ) . Fifty-three per cent ( n = 68 ) also often/very often found it problematic getting cover for their caseloads so that they could take part in CPD activities . Access to library re sources and use of computers were problems , as were confidence in appraising literature and opportunities to discuss research evidence with colleagues . Fifty-nine per cent ( n = 77 ) of respondents indicated that they often/very often felt stressed by the size of their caseloads . Colleague support included mentorship , peer review , journal clubs , clinical interest groups and multidisciplinary in-service training ; respondents with experience of these re sources expressed more positive attitudes to them than those without ( Mann-Whitney U-test z = 2.871 , P < 0.0005 for each ) . Forty-two per cent ( n = 54 ) indicated that there were problems with safety issues . This study has identified needs that will have an impact on the ability of community physiotherapists to meet the dem and s of clinical governance . National Health Service management at all levels has a responsibility to facilitate the education , training and support of community physiotherapists
RESULTS Many physiotherapists hold positive attitudes towards EBP .
However , this does not necessarily translate into consistent , high- quality EBP .
Many barriers to EBP implementation are apparent , including : lack of time and skills , and misperceptions of EBP .
BACKGROUND Despite clear benefits of the Evidence -Based Practice ( EBP ) approach to ensuring quality and consistency of care , its uptake within physiotherapy has been inconsistent .
OBJECTIVES Synthesis e the findings of research into EBP barriers , facilitators and interventions in physiotherapy and identify methods of enhancing adoption and implementation .