title: Evidence-based practice in physical therapy in Austria: current state and factors associated with EBP engagement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Research examining the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) in physical therapy in many countries has revealed positive attitudes, varying degrees of EBP use and barriers at practitioner, patient and organizational levels. In contrast to these countries, Austria does not have an academic or research tradition in physical therapy. Engagement in EBP in countries such as Austria is unknown. The objectives of the study were to describe the current state of EBP engagement and identify factors associated with EBP engagement among Austrian physical therapists (PTs).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional online survey was conducted. Existing questionnaires and the theory of planned behaviour guided questionnaire development. Face and content validity and ease of use of the questionnaire were evaluated in pilot tests. Item-level response frequencies and percentages were determined. Simple and multiple regressions were used to identify factors associated with EBP engagement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final sample size was 588 (response rate: 17.5%). Ten percent of participants fully agreed that they regularly use guidelines and standardized assessment tools in clinical practice. While 49.9% reported not using electronic databases for literature searching, 41.9% reported reading research articles 2-5 times per month. Most frequently cited barriers to EBP engagement were lack of scientific skills, lack of time and insufficient organizational support. Research awareness, attitude, behavioural control, involvement in research and degree level were final correlates of EBP engagement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Austrian PTs show a low level of engagement in EBP. Initiatives to advance EBP in Austria and other countries with no academic or research tradition should primarily target practitioner-level factors.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Program, Department of Therapeutic Sciences, SRH Hochschule Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.|Universitätsklinik für Neurologie, Medizinische Universität Wien, Wien, Austria.
authors.forename: Gudrun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Diermayr
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Program, Fachhochschule für Gesundheitsberufe Oberösterreich, Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schachner
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Program, Fachhochschule für Gesundheitsberufe Oberösterreich, Linz, Austria.
authors.forename: Margit
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eidenberger
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Program, Department of Therapeutic Sciences, SRH Hochschule Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lohkamp
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Salbach
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001317:Austria; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000592:standards*; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: barriers; evidence-based practice; physical therapy; survey; theory of planned behaviour