ArticlePloS one2023
Exploring if and how evidence-based practice of occupational and physical therapists evolves over time: A longitudinal mixed methods national study.
Article in PloS one, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 10 papers.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed.
- Workplace peer support for continuing professional development in occupational therapy: A grounded theory.Australian occupational therapy journal · 2026Article
- Culture eats evidence for breakfast: how culture influences implementation of evidence-based practices.Implementation science communications · 2026Article
- Ongoing Clinical Challenges in Nerve Surgery (Nerve SPACE 2025).Journal of hand surgery global online · 2026Article
- Cross-cultural adaptation of evidence-based practice measure among Hong Kong healthcare providers.PloS one · 2026Article
- Improving Clarity and Interpretability of Items in a Bilingual Index of Propensity to Integrate Research Evidence Into Clinical Decision-Making in Rehabilitation.Journal of evaluation in clinical practice · 2025Article
- Perspectives on how evidence-based practice changes over time: A qualitative exploration of occupational therapy and physical therapy graduates.Journal of evaluation in clinical practice · 2025Article
- Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of evidence-informed practice in respiratory therapy: A cross-sectional survey.Canadian journal of respiratory therapy : CJRT = Revue canadienne de la therapie respiratoire : RCTR · 2025Article
- Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation of the Spanish Evidence-Based Practice Confidence (EPIC) scale in occupational therapy students and professionals.BMC medical education · 2024Article
- Refining and adapting the measurement properties of evidence-based practice measures for physiotherapy students.PloS one · 2024Article
- Evidence-based practice confidence and behavior throughout the curriculum of four physical therapy education programs: a longitudinal study.BMC medical education · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
14 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundOccupational therapists (OTs) and physiotherapists (PTs) are expected to provide evidence-based services to individuals living with disabilities. Despite the emphasis on evidence-based practice (EBP) by professional entry-level programs and professional bodies, little is known about their EBP competencies upon entry to practice and over time or what factors impact EBP use. The aim of the study was to measure and understand how EBP evolves over the first three years after graduation among Canadian OTs and PTs, and how individual and organizational factors impact the continuous use of EBP.
methodsA longitudinal, mixed methods sequential explanatory study. We administered a survey questionnaire measuring six EBP constructs (knowledge, attitudes, confidence, resources, use of EBP and evidence-based activities) annually, followed by focus group discussions with a subset of survey participants. We performed group-based trajectory modeling to identify trajectories of EBP over time, and a content analysis of qualitative data guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework.
resultsOf 1700 graduates in 2016-2017, 257 (response rate = 15%) responded at baseline (T0) (i.e., at graduation), and 83 (retention rate = 32%), 75 (retention rate = 29%), and 74 (retention rate = 29%) participated at time point 1 (T1: one year into practice), time point 2 (T2: two years into practice, and time point 3 (T3: three years into practice) respectively. Group-based trajectory modeling showed four unique group trajectories for the use of EBP. Over 64% of participants (two trajectories) showed a decline in the use of EBP over time. Fifteen practitioners (7 OTs and 8 PTs) participated in the focus group discussions. Personal and peer experiences, client needs and expectations, and availability of resources were perceived to influence EBP the most.
conclusionsThough a decline in EBP may be concerning, it is unclear if this decline is clinically meaningful and whether professional expertise can offset such declines. Stakeholder-concerted efforts towards the common goal of promoting EBP in education, practice and policy are needed.
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