Weighing the evidence
Subtitle: clinical decision making in neurological physical therapy.
Published: 2004
Language: eng
Number of pages: 117
Description: Currently, there is little understanding of the clinical decision-making process in physical therapy. This grounded-theory study examined both the thinking processes that physical therapists go through in making day-to-day clinical decisions and the sources of information they rely on to guide their decisions. The research consisted of semi-structured, in-depth interviews with twelve neurological physical therapists in a broad range of practice settings. Results show that physical therapists draw on both formal and informal information sources. Results also show that physical therapists demonstrate a strong preference for informal information sources. Through an analysis of the results, the investigation provides an explanation of why informal information sources tend to be preferred. As well, the investigation explores the way therapists sort through the different kinds of information available to them. This inquiry also resulted in the improvement of an existing model of physical therapy practice within the context of evidence-based practice.
Notes: Adviser:  Cheryl Cott.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Toronto, 2004.

Electronic version licensed for access by U. of T. users.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 43-03, page: 0841.

MICR copy on microfiche (2 microfiches).