Abstract
Introduction Understanding of attitudes, knowledge, and behaviour related to evidence-based practice (EBP) and guidelines in Swedish occupational therapy is limited. The study aims were to investigate attitudes, knowledge, and behaviour related to evidence-based practice and guidelines of Swedish occupational therapists in primary care. Methods A web-based survey of 94 Swedish primary care occupational therapists (response rate 53.7%). Data were analysed using logistic regressions. Results Attitudes towards EBP and guidelines were highly positive (97%–98%). About half of the respondents reported confidence in finding and using evidence. Almost two-thirds reported being aware of guidelines and 47% knowing where to find guidelines. Four-fifths stated that they had easy access to guidelines and 75% that they used guidelines frequently. Men were more likely to feel confident to find research (OR 8.58, 95% CI 1.03 to 71.66; p = 0.047) and have easy access to guidelines (OR 9.10, 95% CI 1.94 to 42.83; p = 0.005). Occupational therapists older than 50 years were more likely to integrate patient preferences with guideline use (OR 6.44, 95% CI 1.14 to 36.57; p = 0.035). Few reported reading scientific articles, and many expressed uncertainty in finding research. The main barrier for using guidelines was reported to be lack of time. Conclusion Although attitudes among primary care occupational therapists towards EBP are positive and a large proportion report using guidelines, many state that they want to learn more and improve their evidence-based practice skills. The findings suggest that education measures need to be taken to address the identified shortcomings.
Highlights
Understanding of attitudes, knowledge, and behaviour related to evidence-based practice (EBP) and guidelines in Swedish occupational therapy is limited
Variable Attitudes to EBP EBP is necessary to practice EBP creates unreasonable demands EBP helps decision making Want to learn/improve skills Strong evidence is lacking for most treatments Self-efficacy to find research Self-efficacy to treat patients according to evidence Knowledge about EBP Know how to access databases Behaviour related to EBP Read articles, no. of articles per month Search databases, no. of searches per month Prerequisites for EBP EBP encouraged at workplace Attitudes to guidelines Important that guidelines exist Important to use guidelines Guidelines are important to facilitate practice Knowledge about guidelines Know how to integrate pat. pref. w/ guidelines
This study provides new knowledge about attitudes, knowledge, behaviour, prerequisites, and barriers to EBP and guidelines among Swedish primary care occupational therapists that are likely to be transferable to other countries with similar healthcare systems
Summary
Understanding of attitudes, knowledge, and behaviour related to evidence-based practice (EBP) and guidelines in Swedish occupational therapy is limited. The study aims were to investigate attitudes, knowledge, and behaviour related to evidence-based practice and guidelines of Swedish occupational therapists in primary care. Attitudes among primary care occupational therapists towards EBP are positive and a large proportion report using guidelines, many state that they want to learn more and improve their evidence-based practice skills. Many factors affect whether occupational therapy practice is based on research evidence: individual factors such as attitude, preferences, educational level, context, knowledge, and skills, as well as organisational factors such as attitudes of managers and Occupational Therapy International colleagues Factors relating to both the individual and the organisation, e.g., support and time available to search for research evidence, are important [10]
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