Authors
- Kristijan Zulle University of Rijeka, Faculty of Health Studies, Department of Public Health, Rijeka, Republic of Croatia, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Health Studies, Department of Physiotherapy, Rijeka, Republic of Croatia
Article type:
Original Scientific Paper
Abstract:
Introduction. Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is a new and modern way of making a decision about the care of each individual patient. Such a decision must be made on the basis of the latest scientific knowledge, healthcare experience and agreement with the patient himself. With this research, I wanted to examine the knowledge of the concept of “evidence-based practice” among physiotherapists in the Republic of Croatia. Materials and methods. Participants in this research are physiotherapists in the Republic of Croatia, regardless of the degree of their physiotherapeutic education or the institution they work in. The research was conducted through a survey containing 18 questions that could be completed in written or in electronic form. Results. A total of 472 respondents completed the survey, and 448 results were further processed. The results are shown by the number and relative proportions of the individual answers to the questions contained in the survey, and by comparing the distribution of answers to the questions in the survey with respect to the statement on knowledge of the concept of practice based on evidence. Discussion. According to the results of this study, the knowledge of the concept of EBP is not widely distributed among physiotherapists in the Republic of Croatia. Out of the total number of surveys taken (448), only 117 respondents or 26% responded to be familiar with the concept of EBP. When this group was asked an open question to explain the term, 45% of them did not answer, or gave the wrong answer. EBP in physiotherapy in Croatia, according to the results obtained, is still in a very early stage,
Keywords:
Evidence Based Practice, physi- otherapy, Croatia