title: Use of research by the Australian health promotion workforce.
abstract: This paper examines the attitudes and practices of Australian health promotion practitioners toward evidence-based practice (EBP). The study used a survey methodology and questionnaires were sent to 1114 members of the Australian Health Promotion Association. A response rate of 27% (n = 277) was achieved. The data showed that the vast majority of participant's attitudes toward EBP was very welcoming. However, in practice the impact of EBP was limited. Participants identified a range of significant barriers to implementing EBP including organizational culture, policy directives and lack of resources. A range of concerns was also identified regarding the applicability of the medically based EBP model within health promotion, which is based upon a social model of health. The findings highlight the importance of acknowledging the complexity of health promotion interventions and working toward developing an appropriate evidence base.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Bendigo, Victoria 3550, Australia. erica.james@latrobe.edu.au
authors.forename: Erica L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: James
authors.forename: Caitlin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fraser
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Judd
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged