Reassessment of Allied Health Professionals' Level of Self-Efficacy in, Outcome Expectancy in, and Use of Evidence-Based Practice.
OBJECTIVE
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is fundamental to improving patient outcomes. Factors affecting EBP capabilities are linked with institutional culture and barriers, personal self-belief, and individual ability. To effect change in capabilities, interventions must target barriers and be informed by behaviour change theory. This study measured the effect of training and organisational change on EBP measures amongst allied health professionals.


METHODS
All allied health staff (n=196) employed across the Mater Health Services (Brisbane, Queensland) were invited to complete a survey assessing EBP self-efficacy, outcome expectancy and use, as well as EBP training undertaken. Data were compared with those of surveys from 2010 and 2011.


RESULTS
Response rate was 70.9% (n=139/196); 32 staff completed all surveys. Significant improvements were observed in staff undertaking training (EBP, p=0.008; research design and analysis, p=0.003) since the first survey. The significant increase in EBP self-efficacy that occurred from T1 to T2 remained at T3 (p=0.008). Fewer between-department differences were observed over time.


CONCLUSIONS
This study identified sustained EBP self-efficacy improvements in this cohort and found that between-department differences have virtually disappeared. Ongoing interventions are required to sustain and improve staff's belief in their ability to deliver EBP.
Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Level 3-Salmon Building, Mater Health Services, Raymond Terrace, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia. Tel +61 7 3163 6000, fax +61 7 3163 2442. shelley.wilkinson@mater.org.au.
Shelley A
SA
Wilkinson
Andrew P
AP
Hills
Steven J
SJ
Street
Fiona
F
Hinchliffe
D000328:Adult; D000488:Allied Health Personnel; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011793:Queensland; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires