Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: For many allied health practitioners, the move towards regularly utilising research evidence in practice is still an ongoing challenge. The literature suggests that journal clubs (JC) are one approach which can be used to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice. The International Centre for Allied Health Evidence (iCAHE) in collaboration with the Department of Health, South Australia (SA) developed an innovative, structured model of JC utilising a collaborative approach between researchers and allied health practitioners.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of iCAHE journal club on the EBP knowledge, skills, and behaviour of allied health practitioners.
Methods: A pre-post study design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, was used in the study. The participating groups of allied health practitioners received the iCAHE model of JC for 6 months. Quantitative data, using structured questionnaires, were collected prior to the implementation of the JC, with follow-up measurements 6 months later. Paired t-test based on a 5% level of significance was used to compare pre-post scores. Semi-structured individual interviews with purposively selected participants from the JCs were undertaken after analysis of the quantitative data. Interviews were analysed using content analysis.
Results: A range of allied health practitioners including physiotherapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, social workers and dieticians/nutritionists participated in the study. The results indicated that the mean knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviour scores of allied health practitioners increased significantly following JC participation. Subgroup analysis showed improvements in knowledge, skills and behaviour regardless of discipline; change in EBP behaviour but not knowledge and skills was influenced by the number of JC sessions attended.
Conclusions: Participation in an evidence-based journal club (i.e. iCAHE model) positively impacts allied health practitioners’ EBP knowledge, skills and behaviour.
Objectives: The objective of this study was to examine the impact of iCAHE journal club on the EBP knowledge, skills, and behaviour of allied health practitioners.
Methods: A pre-post study design, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches, was used in the study. The participating groups of allied health practitioners received the iCAHE model of JC for 6 months. Quantitative data, using structured questionnaires, were collected prior to the implementation of the JC, with follow-up measurements 6 months later. Paired t-test based on a 5% level of significance was used to compare pre-post scores. Semi-structured individual interviews with purposively selected participants from the JCs were undertaken after analysis of the quantitative data. Interviews were analysed using content analysis.
Results: A range of allied health practitioners including physiotherapists, speech pathologists, occupational therapists, social workers and dieticians/nutritionists participated in the study. The results indicated that the mean knowledge, skills, attitude and behaviour scores of allied health practitioners increased significantly following JC participation. Subgroup analysis showed improvements in knowledge, skills and behaviour regardless of discipline; change in EBP behaviour but not knowledge and skills was influenced by the number of JC sessions attended.
Conclusions: Participation in an evidence-based journal club (i.e. iCAHE model) positively impacts allied health practitioners’ EBP knowledge, skills and behaviour.