Journal of Health Sciences and Innovative Research 2022;3(1):20-28
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31357/jhsir.v3i01.5968
© University of Sri Jayewardenepura
Introduction
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is defined as the
integration of the best available external research
findings with clinical expertise and patients’
preferences. Simply, when treating a patient, it is
the physiotherapist’s responsibility to find the best
available high-quality clinical research and
combine them with their practice knowledge while
Research Article
Abstract
Introduction: Implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) is beneficial for the patients as they can
receive the best available treatment while improving the reputation of the profession. This study aimed
to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers towards EBP among physiotherapists serving
in Sri Lankan government hospitals. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted using
a convenient sampling method among 264 physiotherapists in thirty-nine government hospitals in Sri
Lanka between 18
th
November 2019 and 23
rd
December 2019. A pre-tested, validated, and self-
administered questionnaire with twenty-six items was categorized into four main parts. These included
demographic data of the participants (seven items), their knowledge (six items), attitudes (five items),
and perceived barriers towards EBP (eight items). The responses under attitudes and knowledge
sections were scored using a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 0-4, with higher scores indicating
favourable results. Based on the sum of marks obtained for the attitude part, subjects were categorized
as; negative (0-7), neutral (8-15), and positive (16-24) attitudes. Based on the sum of the marks obtained
for the knowledge part, subjects were categorized as; poor (0-6), average (7-13), and good (14-20)
knowledge. Data analysis was done using the statistical software Minitab version 2018. Results: Among
the participants, 1.5% had a poor level of knowledge, 22.7% had an average level of knowledge, and
75.8% had good knowledge regarding EBP. Attitudes toward EBP were positive among 87.9% of
participants while 11.7% had neutral attitudes, and 0.4% had negative attitudes. The common perceived
barriers to practice EBP were, lack of time, research skills, information resources, and interest towards
EBP. Conclusion: A selected sample of government physiotherapists in Sri Lanka had positive attitudes
and good knowledge towards EBP and are inclined to incorporate evidence into their clinical practice.
Keywords: Evidence-based practice, Physiotherapists, Knowledge, Attitudes, Barriers,
Implementation
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceived Barriers Towards Evidence-based
Practice Among Government Sector Physiotherapists in Sri Lanka
Samarakoon S.M.C.S.
1*
, Perera L.P.S.G.
1
, Pahalawattage N.J.
1
, Riswan A.J.M.
1
, Madhushani R.D.
1
,
Perera L.P.U.I.
1
, Senadheera V.V.
1
, Banneheka S.
2
1
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya,
Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
2
Department of Basic Sciences, Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya,
Sri Lanka
*Corresponding author: firstsewwandi@gmail.com
Received: 03 September 2021; Accepted: 09 July 2022
How to cite this article:
Samarakoon, S.M.C.S., Perera, L.P.S.G., Pahalawattage,
N.J., Riswan, A.J.M., Madhushani, R.D., Perera, L.P.U.I.,
et.al. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceived Barriers
Towards Evidence-based Practice Among Government
Sector Physiotherapists in Sri Lanka, Journal of Health
Sciences and Innovative Research, 2022;3(1):20-28.