Navigating the integration of knowledge and research evidence in clinical practice for children's foot health: A multi-professional survey.

Abstract

Access to clinical services for children with foot and ankle problems are important, but unravelling the complexity of practice and service delivery can be challenging. The pursuit and implementation of research evidence is critical for driving positive change in practice, but little is understood about the approaches to knowledge and research acquisition in children foot health. The aim of the study was to: (1) explore multi-professional habits of knowledge and research evidence acquisition in children's foot health; and (2) understand how clinicians integrate information for children and their families into their practice. This was a descriptive, cross-sectional online survey. Participants were included if they worked in the UK and had experience of working within paediatric services. There were complete responses from 247 health professionals, representing physiotherapists (n=160), podiatrists (n=50), orthotists (n=25), nurses and specialists in community public health nurses (health visitors) (n=12). Three main themes were generated from the data: (1) Factors that influence knowledge and inform clinical practice. (2) The role of Professional Bodies in informing professional knowledge. (3) Health Professionals' views on managing health information for parents and caregivers. This work advances understanding of the value health professionals' place in the development of materials for informing professional knowledge, as well as highlighting some of the challenges with translation of knowledge into clinical practice. The findings offer a national perspective of health professionals working on children's foot health and have highlighted that some of the most valued influences on clinical practice come from peer-to-peer networking.