Knowledge, Attitudes and Use of Evidence-based Practice of Physical Therapy Students in Hong Kong: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) training is a fundamental component of physiotherapy education, to ensure that future therapists can provide high-quality care to patients.
Purpose: To (1) cross-culturally adapt EBP measure to Hong Kong (HK) settings, (2) explore the use of EBP and its determinants among HK physiotherapy students, and (3) explore the students’ perception towards EBP training in their curriculum.
Methods: Two measures about EBP and students’ perception towards EBP in curriculum were cross-culturally adapted to HK settings. Data were collected from BSc and MSc physiotherapy students, who have recently completed their clinical placements. For each domain, internal consistency reliability was calculated using Cronbach’s alpha. Fisher's exact test served to compare the statistical differences between cohorts. Principles of Rasch Measurement Theory will be applied and presented in the congress on three constructs: knowledge, confidence, and attitudes.
Results: In total, 290 students completed the questionnaire (93% response rate). The results showed good internal consistency (Cronbach alpha (α) 0.75 - 0.94) for all domains. Key barriers to using EBP included critically appraising measurement properties and interpreting statistical tests, while facilitators included identifying a gap in student's knowledge and progressing with outcome evaluation. Significant differences were found between BSc and MSc students in EBP knowledge, confidence, and perception of curriculum.
Conclusion: Valid and reliable measures for EBP were cross-culturally adapted to HK. Further measurement and statistical training should be implemented in the curricula.
Implications: Results will help the ongoing update of the physiotherapy curriculum through tackling the identified barriers and boosting the facilitators.