IJPR.2020.171
Type of Article: Original Research
Volume 8; Issue 6 (November 2020)
Page No.: 3663-3673
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.16965/ijpr.2020.171
KNOWLEDGE AND ADHERENCE TOWARDS EVIDENCE-BASED SPORTS PHYSIOTHERAPY STANDARDS AMONG PHYSIOTHERAPISTS IN KENYA
Thomas Kyengo Mwololo *1, Benita Olivier 2, Wallace Karuguti 1.
*1 Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
2 Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Corresponding Author: Thomas Kyengo Mwololo, Department of Physiotherapy, School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya. E-Mail: tmwololo2002@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) and evidence-based physiotherapy (EBPT) have been investigated in different physiotherapy clinical settings. However, there has been no research into knowledge and adherence in respect of evidence-based sports physiotherapy standards in Kenya.
Objective: To determine the levels of knowledge and adherence towards EB sports physiotherapy standards among physiotherapists in Kenya.
Method: A cross-sectional study using quantitative methods and in conjunction with a self-administered questionnaire was conducted in a population of 700 physiotherapists.
Results: The response rate was (n=391; 55.9%). Involvement in structured sports physiotherapy practice accounted for (n=129; 32.9%). High levels of EBP knowledge (n=265; 67.8%) were reported. More males (n=185; 73.4%) than females (n=80; 57.5%) presented with high levels of EBP knowledge. Those with specializations (n=65; 83.3%) demonstrated higher levels of EBP knowledge than those without (n=200; 63.9%). Adherence to EBP process steps accounted for (n=143; 36.6%) of the population. More males (n=104; 41.3%) than females (n=39; 28.1%) adhered to the EBP process. Those with specializations (n=48; 61.5%) and those without (n=95; 30.4 %) adhered to the EBP process. Gender, training and specialization were found to have statistically-significant associations with knowledge and adherence (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Physiotherapists in Kenya present with high levels of knowledge in EB sports physiotherapy but with lower levels of adherence to the EBP process.
Clinical implications: Limited adherence to EBP standards despite high levels of knowledge points to an inferior quality of care for athletes with sports physiotherapy needs. Attention to the limiting factors to adherence may improve the quality of care.
Key Words: Evidence-based practice, standards, sports, physiotherapy, survey, Kenya.
REFERENCES
[1]. Herbert RD, Sherrington C, Maher C, Moseley AM. Evidence-based practice–imperfect but necessary. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice. 2001 Jan 1;17(3):201-11.
https://doi.org/10.1080/095939801317077650
[2]. Dawes M, Summerskill W, Glasziou P, Cartabellotta A, Martin J, Hopayian K, Porzsolt F, Burls A, Osborne J. Sicily statement on evidence-based practice. BMC medical education. 2005 Dec 1;5(1):1.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6920-5-1
PMid:15634359 PMCid:PMC544887
[3]. Manske RC, Lehecka BJ. Evidence-based medicine/practice in sports physical therapy. International journal of sports physical therapy. 2012 Oct;7(5):461.
[4]. Herbert R, Jamtvedt G, Hagen KB, Mead J, Chalmers I. Practical Evidence-Based Physiotherapy-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences; 2011 Aug 1.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-7020-4270-6.00001-6
PMid:21261810
[5]. Condon C, McGrane N, Mockler D, Stokes E. Ability of physiotherapists to undertake evidence-based practice steps: a scoping review. Physiotherapy. 2016 Mar 1;102(1):10-9.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2015.06.003
PMid:26404896
[6]. Akobeng AK. Principles of evidence based medicine. Archives of disease in childhood. 2005 Aug 1;90(8):837-40.
https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.2005.071761
PMid:16040884 PMCid:PMC1720507
[7]. Yahui HC, Swaminathan N. Knowledge, attitudes, and barriers towards evidence-based practice among physiotherapists in Malaysia. Hong Kong Physiotherapy Journal. 2017 Dec 1;37:10-8.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hkpj.2016.12.002
PMid:30931041 PMCid:PMC6385151
[8]. Jette DU, Bacon K, Batty C, Carlson M, Ferland A, Hemingway RD, Hill JC, Ogilvie L, Volk D. Evidence-based practice: beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors of physical therapists. Physical therapy. 2003 Sep 1;83(9):786-805.
https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/83.9.786
PMid:12940766
[9]. Ramírez-Vélez R, Correa-Bautista JE, Muñoz-Rodríguez DI, Ramírez L, González-Ruíz K, Domínguez-Sánchez MA, Durán-Palomino D, Girabent-Farrés M, Flórez-López ME, Bagur-Calafat MC. Evidence-based practice: beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and skills among Colombian physical therapists. Colombia Médica. 2015 Mar;46(1):33-40.
[10]. Scurlock-Evans L, Upton P, Upton D. Evidence-based practice in physiotherapy: a systematic review of barriers, enablers and interventions. Physiotherapy. 2014 Sep 1;100(3):208-19.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2014.03.001
PMid:24780633
[11]. Jewell DV. Guide to evidence-based physical therapist practice. Jones & Bartlett Publishers; 2014 Feb 25.
[12]. Iles R, Davidson M. Evidence based practice: a survey of physiotherapists’ current practice. Physiotherapy Research International. 2006 Jun;11(2):93-103.
https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.328
PMid:16808090
[13]. da Silva TM, Costa LD, Garcia AN, Costa LO. What do physical therapists think about evidence-based practice? A systematic review. Manual therapy. 2015 Jun 1;20(3):388-401.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2014.10.009
PMid:25458142
[14]. Nilsagård Y, Lohse G. Evidence-based physiotherapy: a survey of knowledge, behaviour, attitudes and prerequisites. Advances in Physiotherapy. 2010 Dec 1;12(4):179-86.
https://doi.org/10.3109/14038196.2010.503812
[15]. Salbach NM, Guilcher SJ, Jaglal SB, Davis DA. Factors influencing information seeking by physical therapists providing stroke management. Physical Therapy. 2009 Oct 1;89(10):1039-50.
https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20090081
PMid:19661160
[16]. Akintaro OA. Evidence-based practice: knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of physiotherapists in Nigeria. The Internet Journal of Medical Informatics. 2008 4(2):1-8.
[17]. Tadyanemhandu C, Chiyangwa PC, Chengetanai S, Chibhabha F, van Aswegen H. Utilisation of research evidence in clinical practice to improve health care delivery-practices, attitudes and challenges faced by physiotherapists in Zimbabwe: a descriptive cross sectional study. Safety in Health. 2016 Dec;2(1):1-8.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40886-016-0022-9
[18]. Wanjiru N, Kabara S, Milimo J. Factors Affecting Implementation of Evidence Based Practice Among Physiotherapists In Moi Teaching Refferal Hospital, Kenya. International Journal of Physiotherapy. 2016 Jun 1;3(3):267-72.
https://doi.org/10.15621/ijphy/2016/v3i3/100825
[19]. Bierwas DA, Leafman J, Shaw DK. The Evidence-based Practice Beliefs and Knowledge of Physical Therapy Clinical Instructors. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2016;14(3):10.
[20]. Scholten‐Peeters GG, Beekman‐Evers MS, van Boxel AC, van Hemert S, Paulis WD, van der Wouden JC, Verhagen AP. Attitude, knowledge and behaviour towards evidence‐based medicine of physical therapists, students, teachers and supervisors in the Netherlands: a survey. Journal of evaluation in clinical practice. 2013 Aug;19(4):598-606.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2753.2011.01811.x
PMid:22128867
[21]. Heiwe S, Kajermo KN, Tyni-Lenné R, Guidetti S, Samuelsson M, Andersson IL, Wengström Y. Evidence-based practice: attitudes, knowledge and behaviour among allied health care professionals. International Journal for Quality in Health Care. 2011 Apr 1;23(2):198-209.
https://doi.org/10.1093/intqhc/mzq083
PMid:21242158
[22]. Salbach NM, Jaglal SB, Korner-Bitensky N, Rappolt S, Davis D. Practitioner and organizational barriers to evidence-based practice of physical therapists for people with stroke. Physical therapy. 2007 Oct 1;87(10):1284-303.
https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20070040
PMid:17684088
[23]. Jansen L, Rasekaba T, Presnell S, Holland AE. Finding evidence to support practice in allied health: peers, experience, and the Internet. Journal of allied health. 2012 Dec 5;41(4):154-61.
[24]. Lin SH, Murphy SL, Robinson JC. Facilitating evidence-based practice: Process, strategies, and resources. American Journal of Occupational Therapy. 2010 Jan 1;64(1):164-71.
https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.64.1.164
PMid:20131576
[25]. Karkada S. Evidence based practice (EBP). International Journal of Nursing Research and Practice. 2015;2(2):1-2.
[26]. Law M, MacDermid J, Telford J. Strategies to build evidence in practice. Evidence-based rehabilitation: A guide to practice. 2008:207-26.
[27]. Kamwendo K. What do Swedish physiotherapists feel about research? A survey of perceptions, attitudes, intentions and engagement. Physiotherapy Research International. 2002 Mar;7(1):23-34.
https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.238
PMid:11992982
[28]. Upton D, Upton P. Development of an evidence‐based practice questionnaire for nurses. Journal of advanced nursing. 2006 Feb;53(4):454-8.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03739.x
PMid:16448488
[29]. Schreiber J, Stern P. A review of the literature on evidence-based practice in physical therapy. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2005;3(4):9.
[30]. Ministry of Information, Communications and Technology, Kenya. National Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) Policy. 2019.
[31]. Snibsøer AK, Ciliska D, Yost J, Graverholt B, Nortvedt MW, Riise T, Espehaug B. Self-reported and objectively assessed knowledge of evidence-based practice terminology among healthcare students: A cross-sectional study. PloS one. 2018 Jul 12;13(7):e0200313.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0200313
PMid:30001380 PMCid:PMC6042753
[32]. McColl A, Smith H, White P, Field J. General practitioners’ perceptions of the route to evidence based medicine: a questionnaire survey. Bmj. 1998 Jan 31;316(7128):361-5.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.316.7128.361
PMid:9487174 PMCid:PMC2665572