Evidence implementation in Australian manual therapy practice: A cross-sectional study.

Area of Science:

• Complementary and Manual Therapies
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Health Professional Training

Background:

• Limited research exists on factors influencing evidence implementation in complementary manual therapy.
• Understanding these determinants is crucial for optimizing practice and enhancing patient care quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate Australian complementary medicine manual therapists' attitudes, skills, training, usage, barriers, and enablers related to evidence implementation.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design was employed.
• An online survey, the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude and Utilization Survey, was administered to eligible therapists.

Main Results:

• 294 manual therapists completed the survey; most were supportive and possessed moderate-to-high skills in evidence implementation.
• Low engagement in evidence implementation was observed, with lack of time and clinical evidence identified as primary barriers.
• Participants expressed a desire for skill development and favored strategies that improve access to evidence.

Conclusions:

• Despite reported support and skills, a low level of evidence implementation engagement persists among manual therapists.
• Further exploration of barriers is necessary to optimize evidence implementation strategies and improve patient care outcomes.