Application of the Evidence-Based Practice Model by Physical Therapy Clinical Practitioners

Abstract

The evidence-based practice (EBP) model has served as a framework for clinical reasoning since Sackett first defined it in the late 1990s. Since then, this model has been implemented within various clinical healthcare settings by an array of healthcare practitioners including physical therapists. In the case of the latter, it is not clear how practicing physical therapists perceive the usefulness of this model within the clinical setting, nor to what extent they are able to apply it. The current study assessed practicing physical therapists on their perceptions of EBP as well as their general statistical knowledge. Although all participants agreed upon the import of the EBP model in their clinical skillset, not all could identify its common definition (75% provided correct responses), and responded their understanding of research methods were "strong" or "good" (90%), but for statistical methods were less so by comparison (76%). The majority of the respondents could not answer five questions assessing general knowledge in statistical design, with percent frequency of correct responses ranging from 7%, 24%, 0%, 31%, and 31%, respectively. These findings suggest support is warranted for practicing clinicians for appropriate application of the EBP model to occur within the clinical setting.