Evidence-Based Physical Therapy Practice in the State of Kuwait: A Survey of Attitudes, Beliefs, Knowledge, Skills, and Barriers

Hesham N Alrowayeh; Ali J Buabbas; Talal A Alshatti; Fatemah M AlSaleh; Jawad F Abulhasan

doi:10.2196/12795

Evidence-Based Physical Therapy Practice in the State of Kuwait: A Survey of Attitudes, Beliefs, Knowledge, Skills, and Barriers

JMIR Med Educ. 2019 Jun 7;5(1):e12795. doi: 10.2196/12795.

Authors

Hesham N Alrowayeh¹, Ali J Buabbas², Talal A Alshatti¹, Fatemah M AlSaleh³, Jawad F Abulhasan⁴

Affiliations

¹ Physical Therapy Department, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait.
² Department of Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait.
³ Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait.
⁴ Shikhan Alfaresi Rehabilitation Center, Physical Therapy Department, Ministry of Health, Sulaibikhat, Kuwait.

PMID: 31237840
PMCID: PMC6682286
DOI: 10.2196/12795

Abstract

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is necessary to improve the practice of physical therapy. However, a lack of knowledge and skills among physical therapists and the presence of barriers may hinder the implementation of EBP in the State of Kuwait.

Objective: The objectives of this study were to extensively (1) investigate attitudes toward EBP, (2) assess the current level of knowledge and skills necessary for EBP, and (3) identify the barriers to EBP among physical therapists in the State of Kuwait.

Methods: The following methods were used: (1) a previously validated self-reported questionnaire and (2) a face-to-face semistructured interview. The questionnaire, which was distributed to 200 physical therapists, examined the attitudes and beliefs of physical therapists about EBP; the interest in and motivation to engage in EBP; educational background, knowledge, and skills related to accessing and interpreting information; the level of attention to and use of the literature; access to and availability of information to promote EBP; and the perceived barriers to using EBP. The interview explored the factors that promote or discourage EBP. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were used.

Results: Of the 200 nonrandomly distributed questionnaires, 92% (184/200) were completed and returned. In general, the physical therapists had positive attitudes, beliefs, and interests in EBP. Their educational background, knowledge, and skills related to assessing and interpreting information were well-founded. The top 3 barriers included insufficient time (59.2%, 109/184), lack of information resources (49.4%, 91/184), and inapplicability of the research findings to the patient population (40.7%, 75/184).

Conclusions: EBP lacks support from superiors at work. Thus, identifying methods and strategies to support physical therapists in adopting EBP in the State of Kuwait is necessary.

Keywords: attitudes; evidence-based practice; knowledge; physical therapy practice.

©Hesham N Alrowayeh, Ali J Buabbas, Talal A Alshatti, Fatemah M AlSaleh, Jawad F Abulhasan. Originally published in JMIR Medical Education (http://mededu.jmir.org), 07.06.2019.