Evidence-Based Practice in Primary Care Occupational Therapy: A Cross-Sectional Surveyin Sweden

Understandingofattitudes,knowledge,andbehaviourrelatedtoevidence-basedpractice(EBP)andguidelinesin Swedishoccupationaltherapyislimited.Thestudyaimsweretoinvestigateattitudes,knowledge,andbehaviourrelatedto evidence-basedpracticeandguidelinesofSwedishoccupationaltherapistsinprimarycare.Methods.Aweb-basedsurveyof 94Swedishprimarycareoccupationaltherapists(responserate53.7%).Datawereanalysedusinglogisticregressions. Results.AttitudestowardsEBPandguidelineswerehighlypositive(97%–98%).Abouthalfoftherespondentsreported confidenceinfindingandusingevidence.Almosttwo-thirdsreportedbeingawareofguidelinesand47%knowingwhereto findguidelines.Four-fifthsstatedthattheyhadeasyaccesstoguidelinesand75%thattheyusedguidelinesfrequently.Men weremorelikelytofeelconfidenttofindresearch(OR8.58,95%CI1.03to71.66;p=0047)andhaveeasyaccessto guidelines(OR9.10,95%CI1.94to42.83;p=0005).Occupationaltherapistsolderthan50yearsweremorelikelytointegrate patientpreferenceswithguidelineuse(OR6.44,95%CI1.14to36.57;p=0035).Fewreportedreadingscientificarticles,and manyexpresseduncertaintyinfindingresearch.Themainbarrierforusingguidelineswasreportedtobelackoftime. Conclusion.AlthoughattitudesamongprimarycareoccupationaltherapiststowardsEBParepositiveandalargeproportion reportusingguidelines,manystatethattheywanttolearnmoreandimprovetheirevidence-basedpracticeskills.Thefindings suggestthateducationmeasuresneedtobetakentoaddresstheidentifiedshortcomings