Evidence based practice beliefs and implementation among Egyptian physical therapists: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Adding evidence-based practice (EBP) to physical therapists (PTs) routine practice enhances work environment, healthcare quality and rehabilitation outcomes. Physiotherapy is one of the most developed healthcare professions especially in the last decades, and it is critical for PTs to standardize their practices and to be familiar with evidence-based practice. This study aimed to identify Egyptian physical therapists’ beliefs and implementations of EBP in Cairo Governorate. A sample of 200 PTs, 79% females and 21% males, from Cairo Governorate participated and completed online questionnaires about EBP Belief and EBP Implementation. PTs who attended training courses about EBP reported a mean total belief score of 57.93 (±6.55), and 43.03 (±13.09) for the group who did not attend training courses about EBP. Implementation total score was 59.36 (±12.85) and 45.41 (±13.54) for the group who attended and the group who did not attend training courses about EBP, respectively. To some extent, PTs in Cairo Governorate are aware of the importance of EBP but there are challenges in the implementation. Attending training courses about EBP is critical for better knowledge and implementation in clinical practice. Also experience and educational level are important for knowledge and implementation of EBP.