Engagement in Evidence-Based Practice Activities and Thinking by Rehabilitation Therapists: Predictive Factors

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Science
• Health Professions Education

Background:

• Therapists' engagement in evidence-informed practice (EIP) and critical clinical reasoning (CCR) is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.
• Understanding the factors influencing these self-regulated professional activities is essential for developing effective implementation strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the relationships between therapists' self-regulated evidence-related activities (EIP and CCR) and antecedent factors.
• To identify predictors of therapists' engagement in evidence-informed practice and critical clinical reasoning.

Main Methods:

• Secondary analysis of survey data from 163 rehabilitation therapists across 30 US inpatient rehabilitation clinics.
• Multivariate regression and correlation analyses were used to examine relationships between EIP, CCR, and potential influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Therapists reported infrequent engagement in EIP (mean=4.22) but higher engagement in CCR (mean=5.00).
• EIP and CCR were highly correlated (r=.651, P=.001).
• Beliefs about job security positively predicted both EIP and CCR. Openness, specialty certification, feedback, professional education, and awareness of limitations also influenced engagement.

Conclusions:

• Self-regulated engagement in EIP and CCR is influenced by identifiable, though complex, antecedent factors.
• Critical clinical reasoning (CCR) is a strong predictor of evidence-informed practice (EIP).
• Implementation strategies focusing on enhancing therapists' reflective critical clinical reasoning are likely to be more effective in promoting evidence-based practice habits.