French speech-language therapy students' interest in evidence-based practice: A survey

Area of Science:

• Speech and Language Therapy
• Medical Education
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• International studies highlight the need for evidence-based practice (EBP) in speech and language therapy (SLT).
• Student perception of EBP is critical for its future adoption in clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess French SLT students' understanding and perception of EBP.
• To evaluate students' self-perceived competence and intention to use EBP.
• To identify barriers hindering EBP implementation among future SLTs.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to 182 final-year SLT students across 15 French university training centers.
• Data were collected between January and April 2019.
• The survey addressed students' conception of EBP, competence, barriers, and future intentions.

Main Results:

• 68.7% of students held a positive view of EBP, with 54.9%–73.6% feeling somewhat competent.
• Critically evaluating evidence was the most challenging step.
• Lack of practice and theoretical knowledge were identified as key barriers, particularly for less confident students.

Conclusions:

• French SLT students generally have a positive outlook on EBP.
• There is a clear need to enhance EBP integration within SLT curricula and clinical placements.
• Supervised clinical practice is essential to improve students' EBP skills and confidence.