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 .
Perspectives on research evidence and clinical practice: a survey of Australian physiotherapists.
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Physiotherapists ' use of research evidence with clinical decision-making has interested research ers world-wide since 1980 ; however , little is known about such practice s in Australia . The present survey sought information on Australian physiotherapists ' perceptions of the importance of research , and barriers to uptake of evidence in clinical practice , when compared with an international cohort from 2001 . METHOD An Australian-relevant version of an English ( UK ) National Health Service ( NHS ) survey instrument was used to canvass 453 physiotherapists , r and omly selected from the South Australian Physiotherapy Registration Board 2004 - 2005 records . The first survey was mailed in August 2005 , a reminder was sent two weeks later to non-responders and a follow-up survey was sent in April 2006 to non-responders whose addresses had changed since 2005 . RESULTS There was a 51 % response rate . Of the non-responders , 12 % were not contactable at their listed address , highlighting the mobility of Australian physiotherapists . Most respondents had undertaken research as students ( 59.5 % ) or as students and clinicians ( 11.5 % ) . Of these , 37.1 % were encouraged to embark on more research , and 20.5 % were discouraged . The significant predictors of positive perceived importance of research were : previous research experience ; being positive about undertaking further research ; working in hospitals and holding a postgraduate degree . Clinicians working privately were significantly less likely than managers to be positive about research importance . The only significant predictor for not perceiving barriers to uptake of evidence was being positive about undertaking future research . CONCLUSIONS The study identified constraints on uptake of evidence into practice that were related to accessing , reading and interpreting published research , and implementing findings . Found consistently across employment categories were barriers relating to lack of time , uncertainty about what the research reported , scepticism about the value of research and being isolated from peer support and literature sources . The responses indicated a positive shift towards evidence uptake since the 2001 NHS survey , suggesting an influence of increased exposure to information on evidence -based practice . A greater focus on research whilst training , the application of educational strategies for empowerment , better knowledge transfer and upskilling within the workplace , and ensuring dedicated time and organizational support for research activities are indicated
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 .