Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39415504›Full record

ArticleJournal of evaluation in clinical practice2025

Perspectives on how evidence-based practice changes over time: A qualitative exploration of occupational therapy and physical therapy graduates.

Aliki Thomas, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal, Jacqueline Roberge-Dao, Sara Ahmed, André Bussières, Richard Debigaré, Lori Letts, Joy C MacDermid, Margo Paterson, Helene J Polatajko and 3 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of evaluation in clinical practice, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Aliki ThomasSchool of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Institute of Health Sciences Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-9807-6609
Muhammad Zafar IqbalCentre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-5605-8143
Jacqueline Roberge-DaoCentre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Sara AhmedCentre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
André BussièresSchool of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Richard DebigaréCentre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Lori LettsSchool of Rehabilitation Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
Joy C MacDermidSchool of Physical Therapy, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada.
Margo PatersonSchool of Rehabilitation Therapy, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Helene J PolatajkoDepartment of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Susan RappoltDepartment of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Nancy M SalbachDepartment of Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-6178-0691
Annie RochetteCentre for Interdisciplinary Research in Rehabilitation of Greater Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-0189-0987

Funding

Canadian Institutes for Health Research
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

rationaleThe integration of evidence-based practice (EBP) into rehabilitation education programs has been widespread, but little is known about how graduates' EBP competencies evolve over time. AIMS AND

objectivesTo explore how and why the use of EBP by occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) evolves during the first 3 years of clinical practice.

methodWe used an interpretive description methodology. We conducted semi-structured interviews with OTs and PTs who participated in a minimum of three out of four time points in a previous longitudinal pan-Canadian mixed methods study. Data analysis was guided by Braun and Clarke's approach to thematic analysis.

resultsSeventeen clinicians (13 OTs and 4 PTs) participated in the study. Our analysis identified six overarching themes: (1) evolution of "what EBP is and what it means"; (2) over time, evidence takes a back seat; (3) patients and colleagues have a vital and perennial role in clinical decision making; (4) continuing professional development plays a vital role in EBP; (5) personal attitudes and attributes influence EBP; and (6) organizational factors influence EBP.

conclusionOur study highlights the dynamic nature of EBP use among OTs and PTs in the first 3 years of clinical practice, emphasizing the need for contextualized approaches and ongoing support to promote evidence-informed healthcare in rehabilitation.

Indexed as

Evidence-Based PracticeOccupational TherapistsOccupational TherapyPhysical TherapistsAdultAttitude of Health PersonnelCanadaClinical CompetenceFemaleHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedQualitative Researchevidence‐based practiceinterpretive descriptionoccupational therapistsphysical therapistsqualitative research

Identifiers

PMID39415504
PMCPMC12021315

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.