Evidence based practice beliefs and implementation among Egyptian physical therapists: A cross-sectional study

Authors

  • Mohamed Bayoumi Ibrahim Bayoumi Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt / Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Middle East University, Amman, Jordan.
  • Shaimaa M. A. Elsayeh Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
  • Zeinab A. Ali Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt / Department of Physical Therapy and Health Rehabilitation, College of Applied Medical Science, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia.
  • Shereen Ahmed Elwasefy Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Science, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia / Faculty of Nursing, Mansoura University, Egypt.
  • Reham E. Hamoda Department of Physical Therapy for Women's Health, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt / Department of Physical Therapy for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Physical Therapy, October 6 University, 6th of October City, Giza, Egypt.
  • Amr B Salama Department of Physical Therapy for Surgery, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt / Department of Medical Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Najran University, Najran, KSA.
  • Shaimaa Mohamed Metawee Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Benha National University, Egypt.
  • Ibrahim Yousef Zidan Department of Physical Therapy for Integumentary Disorders, Faculty of Physical Therapy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh, Egypt.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.660341
Keywords: EBP, Implementations, Beliefs, Physical Therapist

Abstract

Adding evidence-based practice (EBP) to physical therapists (PTs) routine practice enhances work environment, healthcare quality and rehabilitation outcomes. Physiotherapy is one of the most developed healthcare professions especially in the last decades, and it is critical for PTs to standardize their practices and to be familiar with evidence-based practice. This study aimed to identify Egyptian physical therapists’ beliefs and implementations of EBP in Cairo Governorate. A sample of 200 PTs, 79% females and 21% males, from Cairo Governorate participated and completed online questionnaires about EBP Belief and EBP Implementation. PTs who attended training courses about EBP reported a mean total belief score of 57.93 (±6.55), and 43.03 (±13.09) for the group who did not attend training courses about EBP. Implementation total score was 59.36 (±12.85) and 45.41 (±13.54) for the group who attended and the group who did not attend training courses about EBP, respectively. To some extent, PTs in Cairo Governorate are aware of the importance of EBP but there are challenges in the implementation. Attending training courses about EBP is critical for better knowledge and implementation in clinical practice. Also experience and educational level are important for knowledge and implementation of EBP.

 

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Alshehri, M. A., Alalawi, A., Alhasan, H., & Stokes, E. (2017). Physiotherapists' behaviour, attitudes, awareness, knowledge and barriers in relation to evidence-based practice implementation in Saudi Arabia: A cross-sectional study. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 15(3), 127–141. https://doi.org/10.1097/XEB.0000000000000106

Bourne, J. A., Dziedzic, K., Morris, S. J., Jones, P. W., & Sim, J. (2007). Survey of the perceived professional, educational and personal needs of physiotherapists in primary care and community settings. Health & Social Care in the Community, 15(3), 231–237. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2524.2007.00677.x

Caldwell, K., Coleman, K., Copp, G., Bell, L., & Ghazi, F. (2007). Preparing for professional practice: How well does professional training equip health and social care practitioners to engage in evidence-based practice? Nurse Education Today, 27(6), 518–528. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2006.08.014

Da Silva, T. M., Costa, L. da C., Garcia, A. N., & Costa, L. O. (2015). What do physical therapists think about evidence-based practice? A systematic review. Manual Therapy, 20(3), 388–401. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.math.2014.10.009

Darrah, J., Loomis, J., Manns, P., Norton, B., & May, L. (2006). Role of conceptual models in a physical therapy curriculum: Application of an integrated model of theory, research, and clinical practice. Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 22(5), 239–250. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593980600927765

Frantz, J. M., & Rowe, M. (2013). Developing reflection and research skills through blogging in an evidence-based practice postgraduate physiotherapy module. African Journal of Health Professions Education, 5(1), 3–7.

Fristedt, S., Areskoug Josefsson, K., & Kammerlind, A. S. (2016). Factors influencing the use of evidence-based practice among physiotherapists and occupational therapists in their clinical work. Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice, 14(3), 1–15.

Iles, R., & Davidson, M. (2006). Evidence based practice: A survey of physiotherapists' current practice. Physiotherapy Research International: The Journal for Researchers and Clinicians in Physical Therapy, 11(2), 93–103. https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.328

Jette, D. U., Bacon, K., Batty, C., Carlson, M., Ferland, A., Hemingway, R. D., Hill, J. C., Ogilvie, L., & Volk, D. (2003). Evidence-based practice: Beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and behaviors of physical therapists. Physical Therapy, 83(9), 786–805.

Johansson, B., Fogelberg-Dahm, M., & Wadensten, B. (2010). Evidence-based practice: the importance of education and leadership. Journal of Nursing Management, 18(1), 70–77. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2009.01060.x

Melnyk, B. M., Fineout-Overholt, E., & Mays, M. Z. (2008). The evidence-based practice beliefs and implementation scales: psychometric properties of two new instruments. Worldviews on Evidence-based Nursing, 5(4), 208–216. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1741-6787.2008.00126.x

Nascimento, L. R., Fernandes, M. O. P., Teixeira-Salmela, L. F., & Scianni, A. A. (2020). Personal and organizational characteristics associated with evidence-based practice reported by Brazilian physical therapists providing service to people with stroke: a cross-sectional mail survey. Brazilian Journal of Physical Therapy, 24(4), 349–357. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bjpt.2019.05.003

Nilsagård, Y., & Lohse, G. (2010). Evidence-based physiotherapy: A survey of knowledge, behaviour, attitudes and prerequisites. Advances in Physiotherapy, 12(4), 179–186.

Nilsagård, Y., Westerdahl, E., & Forsberg, A. (2019). Engagement in performing clinical physiotherapy research: Perspectives from leaders and physiotherapists. Physiotherapy Research International, 24(2), 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1002/pri.1767

Palfreyman, S., Tod, A., & Doyle, J. (2003). Comparing evidence-based practice of nurses and physiotherapists. British Journal of Nursing, 12(4), 246–253. https://doi.org/10.12968/bjon.2003.12.4.11165

Pereira, F., Pellaux, V., & Verloo, H. (2018). Beliefs and implementation of evidence-based practice among community health nurses: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 27(9-10), 2052–2061. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.14348

Ramírez-Vélez, R., Bagur-Calafat, M. C., Correa-Bautista, J. E., & Girabent-Farrés, M. (2015). Barriers against incorporating evidence-based practice in physical therapy in Colombia: current state and factors associated. BMC Medical Education, 15(220), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-015-0502-3

Oostendorp, R. A., Nijhuis-van der Sanden, M. W., Heerkens, Y. H., Hendriks, E. H., & Huijbregts, P. A. (2008). Evidence-based rehabilitation medicine and physiotherapy: a critical appraisal. Rehabilitacja Medyczna, 12(1), 1-12.

Rousseau, C., & Stiegler, B. (2024). Questioning evidence-based practice in physiotherapy: a philosophical reflection. The example of physiotherapy with musicians. Frontiers in Psychology, 15, 1-6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1427648

Rudman, A., Boström, A. M., Wallin, L., Gustavsson, P., & Ehrenberg, A. (2020). Registered Nurses' Evidence-Based Practice Revisited: A Longitudinal Study in Mid-Career. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 17(5), 348–355. https://doi.org/10.1111/wvn.12468

Sackett, D. L., Rosenberg, W. M., Gray, J. M., Haynes, R. B., & Richardson, W. S. (1996). Evidence based medicine: What it is and what it isn't. BMJ, 312(7023), 71–72. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.312.7023.71

Scurlock-Evans, L., Upton, P., & Upton, D. (2014). Evidence-based practice in physiotherapy: a systematic review of barriers, enablers and interventions. Physiotherapy, 100(3), 208–219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physio.2014.03.001

Upton, P., Scurlock-Evans, L., Stephens, D., & Upton, D. (2012). The adoption and implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) among allied health professions. International Journal of Therapy and Rehabilitation, 19(9), 497–503. https://doi.org/10.12968/ijtr.2012.19.9.497

Worum, H., Lillekroken, D., Roaldsen, K. S., Ahlsen, B., & Bergland, A. (2020). Physiotherapists' perceptions of challenges facing evidence-based practice and the importance of environmental empowerment in fall prevention in the municipality - a qualitative study. BMC Geriatrics, 20(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-020-01846-8

Published
29-04-2025
How to Cite
Ibrahim Bayoumi, M. B., Elsayeh, S. M. A., Ali, Z. A., Elwasefy, S. A., Hamoda, R. E., Salama, A. B., … Zidan, I. Y. (2025). Evidence based practice beliefs and implementation among Egyptian physical therapists: A cross-sectional study. SPORT TK-EuroAmerican Journal of Sport Sciences, 14, 41. https://doi.org/10.6018/sportk.660341
Metrics
Views/Downloads
  • Abstract
    96
  • PDF
    80
Issue
Vol. 14 (2025)
Section
Articles

 The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

 1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

 © Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

 2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community. 

The works and papers that are published in this Journal are subject to the following terms:

1. The Publication Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) has the Publication Rights (Copyright) to the published papers and works, and favors and permits the reusing of the same under the license indicated in point 2.

© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2013

2. The papers and works are to be published in the digital edition of the Journal under the license Creative Commons Reconocimiento-No Comercial-Sin Obra Derivada 3.0 España (legal text). The copying, using, spreading, transmitting and publicly displaying of the papers, works or publication are permitted as long as: i) the authors and original sources (Journal, publisher and URL of the publication) are quoted; ii) it is not used for commercial benefit; iii) the existence and specifications of this users license are mentioned.

3. Conditions of Self-Archiving. It is permitted and encouraged that the authors spread electronically the pre-print (before printing) and/or post-print (the revised, evaluated and accepted) versions of their papers or works before their publication since this favors their circulation and early diffusion and therefore can help increase their citation and quotation, and also there reach through the academic community.