title: Preparing for professional practice: how well does professional training equip health and social care practitioners to engage in evidence-based practice?
abstract: This paper reports on the findings of a study that aimed to explore how relevant initial training is in relation to evidence-based practice, and explore the perceptions of recently qualified practitioners about their confidence to engage in evidence-based practice. A cross-sectional postal survey was used to ascertain the views of nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists who had been qualified no longer than two years prior to the survey, and had qualified at one of three London Universities. Fifty questionnaires were sent out to each professional group (a sample of 200 overall) and there was a 43% response rate achieved. The results show a clear discrepancy between what are generally positive attitudes towards evidence-based practice and the value of research evidence and the infrequency with which they actually do make use of research resources and engage in evidence-based practice. A number of constraints to engagement in accessing and utilising evidence were identified.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Sciences, Middlesex University, The Archway Campus, Highgate Hill, London N19 5LW, United Kingdom. k.caldwell@mdx.ac.uk
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Caldwell
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Copp
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Fery
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ghazi
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004496:Education, Continuing; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment / Q000458:organization & administration; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D008131:London; D020380:Needs Assessment; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards; D011364:Professional Practice / Q000458:organization & administration; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012947:Social Work / Q000193:education; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires