A survey of beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors about evidence-based practice in physical therapists of Latin America: a cross-sectional study

Abstract Evidence-based practice (EBP) refers to the integration of scientific evidence into the clinical setting. This study aimed to determine whether Latin American physiotherapists use EBP, analyze the associated factors, barriers, and facilitators, and examine the relationships between these el...

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Main Authors: Marco Antonio Morales-Osorio, Leidy T. Ordoñez-Mora, Héctor Gutiérrez-Espinoza, Felipe Araya-Quintanilla, Ana Bays-Moneo, Robinson Ramírez-Vélez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2024-11-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78703-w
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author Marco Antonio Morales-Osorio
Leidy T. Ordoñez-Mora
Héctor Gutiérrez-Espinoza
Felipe Araya-Quintanilla
Ana Bays-Moneo
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez
author_facet Marco Antonio Morales-Osorio
Leidy T. Ordoñez-Mora
Héctor Gutiérrez-Espinoza
Felipe Araya-Quintanilla
Ana Bays-Moneo
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez
author_sort Marco Antonio Morales-Osorio
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Evidence-based practice (EBP) refers to the integration of scientific evidence into the clinical setting. This study aimed to determine whether Latin American physiotherapists use EBP, analyze the associated factors, barriers, and facilitators, and examine the relationships between these elements in clinical practice. To conduct this cross-sectional study, the web-based questionnaire survey method was chosen. Survey was self-administered questionnaires to assess understanding of various EBP-related terms and determine their knowledge and ability to apply these concepts in clinical practice. The association between attitudes, awareness, and knowledge scores and the demographic data such as age group, years of experience, professional membership registry, and self-reported education was assessed. The questionnaire was distributed to a total of 5000 physical therapists, of which 4099 (82%) responded from seven Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, México, Perú, and Venezuela), between June 1, 2020, and May 31, 2024. Overall, the physical therapists had positive attitudes, beliefs, and interests in EBP. Their educational background, knowledge, and skills related to assessing and interpreting information were associated to the use of EBP. In addition, 53% of respondents indicated that lack of time was the main obstacle to the use of EBP. The top 3 barriers included insufficient time (53%), lack of information resources (20.8%), and lack of research tools (13.6%). Among Latin American physical therapists, individual characteristics workplace, clinical experience, educational background, and demographic characteristics, may behave as facilitators or barriers when performing an EBP. Thus, identifying methods and strategies to support physical therapists in adopting EBP in the Latin American is necessary. The academization of physiotherapy training might change this in the future.
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spelling doaj-art-34b8eb5c20b84b34a26756cb5ca0afee2025-08-20T02:50:07ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222024-11-0114111410.1038/s41598-024-78703-wA survey of beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors about evidence-based practice in physical therapists of Latin America: a cross-sectional studyMarco Antonio Morales-Osorio0Leidy T. Ordoñez-Mora1Héctor Gutiérrez-Espinoza2Felipe Araya-Quintanilla3Ana Bays-Moneo4Robinson Ramírez-Vélez5Carrera de Kinesiología, Escuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Odontología y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San SebastiánPrograma de Fisioterapia, Facultad de Salud, Universidad Santiago de CaliFaculty of Education, Universidad Autónoma de ChileEscuela de Kinesiología, Facultad de Odontología y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad San SebastiánNavarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNANavarrabiomed, Hospital Universitario de Navarra (HUN), Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA), IdiSNAAbstract Evidence-based practice (EBP) refers to the integration of scientific evidence into the clinical setting. This study aimed to determine whether Latin American physiotherapists use EBP, analyze the associated factors, barriers, and facilitators, and examine the relationships between these elements in clinical practice. To conduct this cross-sectional study, the web-based questionnaire survey method was chosen. Survey was self-administered questionnaires to assess understanding of various EBP-related terms and determine their knowledge and ability to apply these concepts in clinical practice. The association between attitudes, awareness, and knowledge scores and the demographic data such as age group, years of experience, professional membership registry, and self-reported education was assessed. The questionnaire was distributed to a total of 5000 physical therapists, of which 4099 (82%) responded from seven Latin American countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, México, Perú, and Venezuela), between June 1, 2020, and May 31, 2024. Overall, the physical therapists had positive attitudes, beliefs, and interests in EBP. Their educational background, knowledge, and skills related to assessing and interpreting information were associated to the use of EBP. In addition, 53% of respondents indicated that lack of time was the main obstacle to the use of EBP. The top 3 barriers included insufficient time (53%), lack of information resources (20.8%), and lack of research tools (13.6%). Among Latin American physical therapists, individual characteristics workplace, clinical experience, educational background, and demographic characteristics, may behave as facilitators or barriers when performing an EBP. Thus, identifying methods and strategies to support physical therapists in adopting EBP in the Latin American is necessary. The academization of physiotherapy training might change this in the future.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78703-wLatin AmericanEvidence-based practiceEvidence-based practiceAttitudesKnowledgeBarriers
spellingShingle Marco Antonio Morales-Osorio
Leidy T. Ordoñez-Mora
Héctor Gutiérrez-Espinoza
Felipe Araya-Quintanilla
Ana Bays-Moneo
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez
A survey of beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors about evidence-based practice in physical therapists of Latin America: a cross-sectional study
Scientific Reports
Latin American
Evidence-based practice
Evidence-based practice
Attitudes
Knowledge
Barriers
title A survey of beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors about evidence-based practice in physical therapists of Latin America: a cross-sectional study
title_full A survey of beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors about evidence-based practice in physical therapists of Latin America: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr A survey of beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors about evidence-based practice in physical therapists of Latin America: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed A survey of beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors about evidence-based practice in physical therapists of Latin America: a cross-sectional study
title_short A survey of beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors about evidence-based practice in physical therapists of Latin America: a cross-sectional study
title_sort survey of beliefs attitudes knowledge and behaviors about evidence based practice in physical therapists of latin america a cross sectional study
topic Latin American
Evidence-based practice
Evidence-based practice
Attitudes
Knowledge
Barriers
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-78703-w
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