title: Attitude, knowledge and behaviour towards evidence-based medicine of physical therapists, students, teachers and supervisors in the Netherlands: a survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has gained widespread acceptance in physical therapy. However, because little is known about the attitudes, knowledge and behaviour of physical therapists towards EBM, and their participation in research to generate EBM, we explored these aspects among physical therapy students, teachers, supervisors and practising physical therapists.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional survey in which participants completed a web-based questionnaire to determine their attitudes, knowledge and behaviour regarding EBM, and their participation in research.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Questionnaires were sent to 814 participants of which 165 were returned. The overall mean score for attitude was 4.3 [standard deviation (SD) 1.0; range 1-7], which indicates a weak positive attitude. Teachers scored the highest (4.9, SD 1.2) and students the lowest (4.1, SD 0.8). Although most participants had some understanding of the technical terms used in EBM, only teachers felt able to explain these terms to others. Of the students, 45% rated their perceived EBM knowledge as bad and 45% as average, whereas 78% of the teachers considered that they had good knowledge. To answer clinical questions, most students generally use textbooks (96%) and the opinion of their supervisors (87.7%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a weak positive attitude of physical therapists, teachers, supervisors and students towards participating in research in general practice, but there is a lack of knowledge and active behaviour regarding EBM, especially among physical therapy students.
authors: Research Group Diagnostics, University of Applied Sciences, Breda, the Netherlands. ggm.scholten-peeters@avans.nl
authors: Gwendolijne G M
authors: GG
authors: Scholten-Peeters
authors: Monique S
authors: MS
authors: Beekman-Evers
authors: Annemiek C J W
authors: AC
authors: van Boxel
authors: Sjanna
authors: S
authors: van Hemert
authors: Winifred D
authors: WD
authors: Paulis
authors: Johannes C
authors: JC
authors: van der Wouden
authors: Arianne P
authors: AP
authors: Verhagen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005178:Faculty; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D059825:Physical Therapists; D012106:Research; D013334:Students; D055815:Young Adult