Evidence-Based Practice: Knowledge, Attitudes And Beliefs Of Physiotherapists In Nigeria

Abstract

Background & Purpose: The physiotherapy profession has been undergoing a period of change and have been encouraged to prove the effectiveness of clinical interventions by scientific evidence. This study was therefore designed to describe the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists in Nigeria to evidence-based practice (EBP) and to generate the relationship between these attributes and practice. Methods: A total of 280 questionnaires were distributed and 217 were returned. Participants were required to complete a 45 item closed ended questionnaire, which collected information on demographic data, practice settings, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs regarding EBP. Responses were summarized for each item, and general log linear analyses as well as Pearson chisquare test were used to examine relationships among variables at 95% confident interval. Results: Respondents agreed that the use of EBP was necessary and that the quality of patient care was better when evidence was used, with the younger physiotherapists at the fore front. About 50% of the respondents had access to online information; the majority of these respondents only had time to access the internet more at home rather than at work place. The primary barrier to implementing EBP was insufficient time. Statistical analysis showed there was a significant correlation between understandings and implementation of EBP and educational attainment and/or years since licensure. Conclusion: The respondents had a positive attitude towards EBP and were interested in improving the skills necessary to implement EBP. There was a need to increase the use of EBP in clinical practice and decision making among Physiotherapists. The respondents who were recently licensed and those with post-graduate education expressed more positive attitudes toward EBP than those who were not.