Mapping allied health evidence-based practice: providing a basis for organisational realignment.
OBJECTIVE
Ahead of the convergence of two major paediatric services, we examined evidence-based practice (EBP) self-efficacy, outcome expectance, knowledge and use among allied health (AH) staff in two major Queensland (Qld) paediatric services. This was to determine whether any differences existed based on organisational affiliation, profession and any previous training to inform a strategy to enhance AH EBP within the new organisational setting.


METHODS
All AH staff from the two Brisbane (Qld) tertiary paedritic hospitals were invited to participate in the survey. Using a cross-sectional design EBP self-efficacy, outcome expectancy, knowledge and use, as well as previous EBP training, were assessed with an online survey. Background demographic information obtained included professional discipline and hospital.


RESULTS
One hundreD and thirty-eight health practitioners completed the survey (37% respone rate). Most practioners had accessed EBP training. Mean scores for EBP attitudes (self-efficacy and outcome expectancy) and knowledge were higher than for EBP use scores. Greater variation was observed across professional disciplines than organisations. Training impacted positively on EBP measures but explained a small proportion of total variance in regression models.


CONCLUSIONS
The results underscore the need to provide organisational supports to AH staff ro EBP implementation. Strategies other than training are requred to maximally enhance EBP attitudes. The new organisational structure provides an oppotunity for this cultural shift to occur.
Children's Allied Health Research, Children's Health Queensland and School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Qld 4072, Australia. Email.
Jenny
J
Ziviani
Mater Research, Aubigny Place, Raymond Terrace, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Qld 4101, Australia.
Shelley A
SA
Wilkinson
Mater Research, Aubigny Place, Raymond Terrace, University of Queensland, South Brisbane, Qld 4101, Australia.
Fiona
F
Hinchliffe
School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Qld 4067, Australia. Email.
Rachel
R
Feeney
D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011793:Queensland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires