Comparing evidence-based practice of nurses and physiotherapists

Abstract

Evidence-based practice has become an ubiquitous concept within nursing. However, there is little comparative data of nursing with other professions on attitudes to evidence-based practice. This article reports on a survey of nurses' and physiotherapists' sources of knowledge and perceived barriers to evidence-based practice within a large teaching hospital. A total of 324 questionnaires were sent to nurses and physiotherapists. The results showed that both physiotherapists and nurses accessed a wide variety of sources of knowledge. However, nurses were more likely than physiotherapists to use policy and procedure manuals and discussions with medical staff. Both professions have problems with overcoming the barrier of time. Nurses were more likely than physiotherapists to rate themselves as having poor evidence-based practice skills.

Pediatric information seeking behaviour, information needs, and information preferences of health care professionals in general emergency departments: Results from the Translating Emergency Knowledge for Kids (TREKK) Needs Assessment

“…A number of studies have demonstrated that colleagues are nurses' preferred knowledge sources, [14][15][16][17][18] regardless of rural or urban setting. In terms of physicians' information-seeking behaviours, a recent narrative review highlighted six studies in which printed text sources were the top-ranked need, followed by human sources and electronic sources, 19 while another synthesis identified text sources as the top-ranked source in 13 of 19 studies, followed by information from colleagues, which was identified as the primary information source in four studies.…”

Development of a Theory-Based Intervention to Increase Prescription of Inspiratory Muscle Training by Health Professionals in the Management of People with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

“…2,21,22 The literature [2][3][4][5][22][23][24][25][26][27] suggests that the existing gaps between evidence and practice are indeed the result of a combination of barriers related to the individual, the practice environment, and the clarity of the messages about the effectiveness of a treatment.…”

“…7 These findings suggest that some physiotherapists may rely on colleagues, textbooks, and/or techniques learned from their initial training to inform their clinical practice, rather than reading scientific journals. 3,5,23,25,26 Another barrier to EBP is the lack of skills and resources to access current and relevant research. 2,5 In fact, skills in accessing online information, rather than the size and location of the workplace, are related to research use.…”

“…2,4,5,7,[24][25][26] Interestingly, in contrast to habitual practice, therapists tend to rely on research information when changing an overall pattern of treatment for a specific group of patients. 23 The underlying factor, which requires further study, may be whether or not organizations provide additional or protected time to gather information that is relevant to programme alterations.…”

“…Furthermore, given that the optimal continuing education session is still debated, 44 relatively short sessions will be chosen, to reflect the time constraints that are frequently cited as a barrier to EBP. 2,4,5,7,[24][25][26] An expert, as a credible source for arguments in favour of the behaviour, 53 was chosen over a local opinion leader because the identification of opinion leaders is problematic and often labour intensive. 15 Furthermore, more studies are required to indentify which variables, such as personal and professional attributes, training, and educational methods, are associated with the effectiveness of opinion leaders.…”