Knowledge, Attitudes, Beliefs and Behaviors of Physiotherapists to Evidence-Based Practice: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Introduction: Physiotherapists work as autonomous professionals and in team with other healthcare professionals. The present-day healthcare literature consists of arguments about the importance of outcome research and evidence-based practice. Therefore, studying the currently used and new treatment procedures along with their supporting evidences is of prime importance particularly to the new graduates. Aim: To determine physiotherapists’ self-reported knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors to evidencebased practice within a university setting. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among postgraduate physiotherapy students (n=75) within the Gujarat University. Participants completed evidence-based practice questionnaire (EBP-Q) designed to determine knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors, as well as demographic information about themselves and practice settings. Most responses of questionnaire were rated on a 5-point Likert scale, between ‘strongly agree’ and ‘strongly disagree’. Some items included yes/no/do not know responses, whereas others consisted of understand completely/understand somewhat/do not understand responses. Result: Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. Percentage of participants was calculated for responses of knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors domains in the questionnaire. Conclusion: Physiotherapists have a positive attitude and beliefs about EBP; however, the knowledge and behaviors among them was relatively poor.