The Recognition, Utilization Rates, Barriers, and Application Accuracy of the Hamstring Strain Clinical Practice Guidelines

# Background and Purpose Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are systematically developed statements designed to promote evidence-based practice, assist in decision-making, and reduce unwarranted deviations in practice. The purpose of this study was to describe the awareness and attitudes of physic...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Edward Mulligan, Liana Wooten, Tara Dickson, Eric Hegedus, Benjamin Stern
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: North American Sports Medicine Institute 2025-03-01
Series:International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.129705
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849764589794754560
author Edward Mulligan
Liana Wooten
Tara Dickson
Eric Hegedus
Benjamin Stern
author_facet Edward Mulligan
Liana Wooten
Tara Dickson
Eric Hegedus
Benjamin Stern
author_sort Edward Mulligan
collection DOAJ
description # Background and Purpose Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are systematically developed statements designed to promote evidence-based practice, assist in decision-making, and reduce unwarranted deviations in practice. The purpose of this study was to describe the awareness and attitudes of physical therapists (PTs) towards using the Hamstring Strain Injury in Athletes (HSIA) CPG and determine the relationship between barriers, utility, and knowledge of practice guidelines with the behavioral characteristics and clinical care patterns of PTs. # Study Design Explorative survey # Methods Members of the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy (AASPT) were surveyed regarding their perceived value and application of the HSIA CPG. Descriptive measures of central tendencies and nonparametric analysis were used to describe the data and identify differences. A forward stepwise regression was used to identify variables to explain if the level of CPG awareness and frequency of use were related to selected attitudes, beliefs, and barriers to utilization of the CPG. # Results Eighty-seven percent of respondents were aware of the CPG resource. Fifty-six percent had read, reviewed, and/or integrated the recommendations into clinical practice. The respondents had a substantial positive opinion regarding its necessity, assistance in decision-making, ease of implementation, ability to improve outcomes, and reduction of unwarranted practice variation. Only 15% of respondents believed the CPG did not provide adequate evidence to adopt its recommendations. Barriers to utilization were the CPG’s ability to account for provider expertise and its shortcomings in universally applying its findings to all patients’ needs and expectations. Given a specific hamstring injury vignette, respondents accurately chose evidence-based examination, intervention, and injury prevention strategies in the vast majority of cases. # Conclusion The HSIA CPG is a valuable resource for PTs in managing athletic injuries. The guideline clearly describes the aims, objectives, population, and evidence that contributes to each recommendation and is being used to improve rehabilitative care. # Level of Evidence 3b
format Article
id doaj-art-9163cf98e7694f91bea2f600bb0abe86
institution DOAJ
issn 2159-2896
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
publisher North American Sports Medicine Institute
record_format Article
series International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
spelling doaj-art-9163cf98e7694f91bea2f600bb0abe862025-08-20T03:05:06ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962025-03-0120310.26603/001c.129705The Recognition, Utilization Rates, Barriers, and Application Accuracy of the Hamstring Strain Clinical Practice GuidelinesEdward MulliganLiana WootenTara DicksonEric HegedusBenjamin Stern# Background and Purpose Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are systematically developed statements designed to promote evidence-based practice, assist in decision-making, and reduce unwarranted deviations in practice. The purpose of this study was to describe the awareness and attitudes of physical therapists (PTs) towards using the Hamstring Strain Injury in Athletes (HSIA) CPG and determine the relationship between barriers, utility, and knowledge of practice guidelines with the behavioral characteristics and clinical care patterns of PTs. # Study Design Explorative survey # Methods Members of the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy (AASPT) were surveyed regarding their perceived value and application of the HSIA CPG. Descriptive measures of central tendencies and nonparametric analysis were used to describe the data and identify differences. A forward stepwise regression was used to identify variables to explain if the level of CPG awareness and frequency of use were related to selected attitudes, beliefs, and barriers to utilization of the CPG. # Results Eighty-seven percent of respondents were aware of the CPG resource. Fifty-six percent had read, reviewed, and/or integrated the recommendations into clinical practice. The respondents had a substantial positive opinion regarding its necessity, assistance in decision-making, ease of implementation, ability to improve outcomes, and reduction of unwarranted practice variation. Only 15% of respondents believed the CPG did not provide adequate evidence to adopt its recommendations. Barriers to utilization were the CPG’s ability to account for provider expertise and its shortcomings in universally applying its findings to all patients’ needs and expectations. Given a specific hamstring injury vignette, respondents accurately chose evidence-based examination, intervention, and injury prevention strategies in the vast majority of cases. # Conclusion The HSIA CPG is a valuable resource for PTs in managing athletic injuries. The guideline clearly describes the aims, objectives, population, and evidence that contributes to each recommendation and is being used to improve rehabilitative care. # Level of Evidence 3bhttps://doi.org/10.26603/001c.129705
spellingShingle Edward Mulligan
Liana Wooten
Tara Dickson
Eric Hegedus
Benjamin Stern
The Recognition, Utilization Rates, Barriers, and Application Accuracy of the Hamstring Strain Clinical Practice Guidelines
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy
title The Recognition, Utilization Rates, Barriers, and Application Accuracy of the Hamstring Strain Clinical Practice Guidelines
title_full The Recognition, Utilization Rates, Barriers, and Application Accuracy of the Hamstring Strain Clinical Practice Guidelines
title_fullStr The Recognition, Utilization Rates, Barriers, and Application Accuracy of the Hamstring Strain Clinical Practice Guidelines
title_full_unstemmed The Recognition, Utilization Rates, Barriers, and Application Accuracy of the Hamstring Strain Clinical Practice Guidelines
title_short The Recognition, Utilization Rates, Barriers, and Application Accuracy of the Hamstring Strain Clinical Practice Guidelines
title_sort recognition utilization rates barriers and application accuracy of the hamstring strain clinical practice guidelines
url https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.129705
work_keys_str_mv AT edwardmulligan therecognitionutilizationratesbarriersandapplicationaccuracyofthehamstringstrainclinicalpracticeguidelines
AT lianawooten therecognitionutilizationratesbarriersandapplicationaccuracyofthehamstringstrainclinicalpracticeguidelines
AT taradickson therecognitionutilizationratesbarriersandapplicationaccuracyofthehamstringstrainclinicalpracticeguidelines
AT erichegedus therecognitionutilizationratesbarriersandapplicationaccuracyofthehamstringstrainclinicalpracticeguidelines
AT benjaminstern therecognitionutilizationratesbarriersandapplicationaccuracyofthehamstringstrainclinicalpracticeguidelines
AT edwardmulligan recognitionutilizationratesbarriersandapplicationaccuracyofthehamstringstrainclinicalpracticeguidelines
AT lianawooten recognitionutilizationratesbarriersandapplicationaccuracyofthehamstringstrainclinicalpracticeguidelines
AT taradickson recognitionutilizationratesbarriersandapplicationaccuracyofthehamstringstrainclinicalpracticeguidelines
AT erichegedus recognitionutilizationratesbarriersandapplicationaccuracyofthehamstringstrainclinicalpracticeguidelines
AT benjaminstern recognitionutilizationratesbarriersandapplicationaccuracyofthehamstringstrainclinicalpracticeguidelines