Determining where physical therapists get information to support clinical practice decisions

Health Info Libr J. 2013 Mar;30(1):35-48. doi: 10.1111/hir.12010. Epub 2012 Dec 12.

Abstract

Objective: To determine the information sources utilised by physical therapists (PTs) to support clinical decisions.

Methods: Physical therapists in the United States were invited via professional listservs and electronic newsletters to participate in an online survey.

Results: Journal articles were the most frequently utilised source of information, followed by databases (PubMed was most frequent). The frequency of utilising evidence-based resources was not significantly affected by the number of years of experience as a physical therapist (PT), working in a state that allows direct access to PT services or doctoral vs masters/bachelors degree.

Conclusions: Compared with a previous study (1994), there has been a transition in physical therapy information seeking, with greater reliance on evidence-based information.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Data Collection
  • Databases, Bibliographic
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Humans
  • Information Seeking Behavior*
  • Periodicals as Topic
  • Physical Therapists*
  • PubMed
  • United States