title: Promoting physical therapists' use of research evidence to inform clinical practice: part 2--a mixed methods evaluation of the PEAK program.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Clinicians need innovative educational programs to enhance their capacity for using research evidence to inform clinical decision-making. This paper and its companion paper introduce the Physical therapist-driven Education for Actionable Knowledge translation (PEAK) program, an educational program designed to promote physical therapists' integration of research evidence into clinical decision-making. This, second of two, papers reports a mixed methods feasibility study of the PEAK program among physical therapists at three university-based clinical facilities.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 18 physical therapists participated in the six-month educational program. Mixed methods were used to triangulate results from pre-post quantitative data analyzed concurrently with qualitative data from semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Feasibility of the program was assessed by evaluating change in participants' attitudes, self-efficacy, knowledge, skills, and self-reported behaviors in addition to their perceptions and reaction to the program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 18 therapists completed the program. The group experienced statistically significant improvements in evidence based practice self-efficacy and self-reported behavior (p < 0.001). Four themes were supported by integrated quantitative and qualitative results: 1. The collaborative nature of the PEAK program was engaging and motivating; 2. PEAK participants experienced improved self-efficacy, creating a positive cycle where success reinforces engagement with research evidence; 3. Participants' need to understand how to interpret statistics was not fully met; 4. Participants believed that the utilization of research evidence in their clinical practice would lead to better patient outcomes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PEAK program is a feasible educational program for promoting physical therapists' use of research evidence in practice. A key ingredient seems to be guided small group work leading to a final product that guides local practice. Further investigation is recommended to assess long-term behavior change and to compare outcomes to alternative educational models.
authors: Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Southern California, 1540 Alcazar St,, CHP 155, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. tilson@usc.edu.
authors: Julie K
authors: JK
authors: Tilson
authors: Sharon
authors: S
authors: Mickan
authors: Jonathan C
authors: JC
authors: Sum
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Zibell
authors: Jacquelyn M
authors: JM
authors: Dylla
authors: Robbin
authors: R
authors: Howard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003479:Curriculum; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities / Q000592:standards; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000193:education