Evidence-based practice in physical therapy in Lithuania: attitude, application and barriers

Research aim: The purpose of the study was to describe Lithuanian physical therapists‟ attitudes toward evidence-based practice (EBP) and application. Objectives of study: 1. To analyse Lithuanian physical therapists‟ attitudes toward EBP 2. To analyse Lithuanian physical therapists‟ behaviour related to EBP application. 3. To analyse Lithuanian physical therapists‟ attitudes and barriers related to guidelines application in their clinical practice. Contingent and methods of the study: For the investigation was use “EBP questionnaire” created by scientists Bernhardsson and Larsson (2013). The random sample survey of currently working physical therapists in Lithuania was started in November 2014 and finish in July 2015. Statistical analyses were performed using “IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0” program. The simple and multiple regressions were used to identify factors associated with EBP engagement. Results and conclusions: The final sample size was 229 (response rate: 78%). Most respondents had positive attitudes toward EBP and guidelines: 93.2% considered EBP necessary and 90.4% considered guidelines important. This attitudes was associated with demographic and workplace characteristics. Most respondents agreed that EBP helps in decision making. Less than half of respondents reported reading 2 to 5 scientific articles per month. Graduate degree was associated with reading articles (χ2=7.2; df=2; p=0.027). A third of the respondents reported that strong evidence was lacking for most interventions used in their clinical practice. The most important barriers to using guidelines were lack of time (29.9%), second - guidelines are too general and too unspecific (18 proc.) and third one – guidelines are too much “recipe” and don‟t let physiotherapist to decide what is most appropriate (11.9%). Recommendation/guideline: Continue research related to the application of the EBP in physical therapy field during studies' time and after the studies. To develop and promote the EBP training programs, courses, seminars and workshops. Improve conditions for EBP application in physical therapist‟s clinical practice