Profile of evidence-based practice among respiratory therapists in Taiwan.
BACKGROUND
Evidence-based practice (EBP) has been proposed as a core competence to improve healthcare quality. The profile of EBP among respiratory therapists (RTs) has not been explored. We investigated how RTs in Taiwan perceive the implementation of EBP.


METHODS
We surveyed RTs in Taiwan's regional hospitals during a 4-month period in 2011.


RESULTS
A majority of RTs were aware of EBP (88.0%). Although most RTs held a favorable impression of EBP, their knowledge of and skill in EBP implementation were deficient. Only half of the RTs had implemented EBP. Insufficient convenient kits (59.1%), deficient designated personnel (50.0%), and lack of time (45.5%) were major barriers to implementing EBP. RTs rated MEDLINE as the most commonly used evidence-based retrieval database, followed by UpToDate, the Cochrane Library, MD Consult, ProQuest, CINAHL, DynaMed, and Micromedex. Multivariate regression analyses demonstrated sufficient skill in EBP and use of online databases as favorable factors for implementing EBP. In contrast, barriers of time constraint and insufficient knowledge were unfavorable factors for the implementation of EBP.


CONCLUSIONS
EBP is not widespread among RTs in Taiwan. We have identified important factors in the implementation of EBP. The data provide valuable evidence for plotting strategies for disseminating EBP implementation.
Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taiwan.
Yi-Hao
YH
Weng
Ken N
KN
Kuo
Chiehfeng
C
Chen
Chun-Yuh
CY
Yang
Heng-Lien
HL
Lo
Ya-Wen
YW
Chiu
D000328:Adult; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006769:Hospitals, General; D006801:Humans; D057226:Information Seeking Behavior; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059825:Physical Therapists; D011361:Professional Competence; D012138:Respiratory Therapy / Q000592:standards; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D055815:Young Adult
evidence-based practice; online database; respiratory therapist