title: Baseline evidence-based practice use, knowledge, and attitudes of allied health professionals: a survey to inform staff training and organisational change.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evidence-based practice (EBP) is fundamental to improving patient outcomes. Universal adoption of EBP into the allied health clinical setting has not yet occurred. The primary aim of this project was to capture baseline measurements of the level of EBP self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, knowledge and use at our health service prior to training and organisational changes to support EBP.
  
  
  METHODS
  All allied health staff (n=252) employed across the campus were invited to participate in an online survey consisting of a battery of validated and reliable survey tools. Professional background, knowledge and previous training in EBP and research processes were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred eighty-two allied health staff completed the survey (response rate 72%). One-way ANOVAs were used to compare levels of self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, knowledge and use, according to allied health discipline and experience with EBP and research processes. Mean scores for EBP attitudes (self-efficacy and outcome expectancy) and knowledge were higher than for use. Professional group differences were noted in the post-hoc analysis of the significant EBP constructs. Regression analyses indicated that EBP course attendance as well as training in research design and analysis impacted positively on EBP construct scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite positive attitudes about, a belief in and knowledge of EBP, self-reports of EBP processes do not indicate systematic application in the allied health workplace. The results of this research will inform a targeted intervention to foster ongoing training in EBP and research activity for allied health staff.
authors.affiliation: Mater Medical Research Institute. shelley.wilkinson@mater.org.au
authors.forename: Shelley A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Wilkinson
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hinchliffe
authors.forename: Judith
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hough
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000488:Allied Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D002983:Clinical Competence; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013192:Staff Development; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires