Evidence-Based Practice: a survey regarding behavior, knowledge, skills, resources, opinions and perceived barriers of Brazilian physical therapists from São Paulo state

BACKGROUND: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) has been widely used by health professionals. However, no study in Brazil has investigated the data regarding the knowledge and difficulties related to EBP from a representative sample of physical therapists.OBJECTIVE: To identify behavior, knowledge, skills, resources, opinions and perceived barriers of Brazilian physical therapists from the state of São Paulo regarding EBP.METHOD: A customized questionnaire about behavior, knowledge, skills, resources, opinions and perceived barriers regarding EBP was sent by email to a sample of 490 physical therapists registered by the Registration Board of São Paulo, Brazil. Physical therapists who did not respond to the questionnaire were contacted by telephone and/or letter. The data were analyzed descriptively.RESULTS: The final response rate was 64.4% (316/490). Because 60 physical therapists were no longer practicing, 256 answers were analyzed. The physical therapists reported that they routinely read scientific papers (89.5%) as a resource for professional development, followed by continuing education courses (88.3%) and books (86.3%). Approximately 35% of the respondents reported a clear understanding of the implementation of research findings in their practice; approximately 37% reported no difficulties in critically appraising scientific papers; and 67.2% strongly agreed that EBP is important for their practice. The most commonly reported barriers were related to difficulties in obtaining full-text papers (80.1%), using EBP may represent higher cost (80.1%) and the language of publication of the papers (70.3%).CONCLUSION: Physical therapists from São Paulo state believe that they have knowledge and skills to use EBP. Although they have favorable opinions regarding its implementation, they still encounter difficulties in implementing EBP successfully.

Usage evaluation of the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) among Brazilian physical therapists

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) is widely and equally used by physical therapists in Brazil. As PEDro is considered a key resource to support evidence-based physical therapy, analyses of PEDro usage could reflect the extent of dissemination of evidence-based practice.OBJECTIVE: To describe the usage of PEDro among the five regions of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT) and, in more detail, in the South American region and Brazil over a 5-year period.METHOD: PEDro home-page sessions and the number of searches performed were logged for a 5-year period (2010-2014). Absolute usage and relative usage were calculated for each region of the WCPT, each country in the South American region of WCPT, and each Regional Council (CREFITO) in Brazil.RESULTS: Europe had the highest absolute and relative usage among the five regions of the WCPT (971 searches per million-population per year), with the South American region ranked 4th in absolute terms and 3rd in relative terms (486). Within the South American region, Brazil accounted for nearly 60% of searches (755). Analysis at a national level revealed that usage per physical therapist in Brazil is very low across all CREFITOs. The highest usage occurred in CREFITO 6 with 1.3 searches per physical therapist per year.CONCLUSIONS: PEDro is not widely and equally used throughout Brazil. Strategies to promote PEDro and to make PEDro more accessible to physical therapists speaking Portuguese are needed.

Evidence-based practice: beliefs, attitudes, knowledge, and skills among Colombian physical therapists / Práctica basada en la evidencia: creencias, actitudes, conocimientos y habilidades entre fisioterapeutas colombianos

Objective: The main purpose of this study was to describe a group of Colombian physical therapists' beliefs and attitudes towards Evidence-Based Practice (EBP), their education, knowledge and skills for implementing EBP, the use of relevant literature in clinical practice, access to and availability of scientific information and perceived barriers to including EBP in practice. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study which involved 1,064 Colombian physical therapists. The study used a 50-item screening questionnaire EBP developed to estimate attitudes, beliefs, knowledge and skills regarding. This instrument has been adapted and was validated previously in Colombia by Flórez-López et al. Results: The population mostly consisted of young females (77.2%) aged 22 to 29 years old (79.4%). Most respondents had an undergraduate degree (87.7%). The physical therapists stated that they had positive attitudes and beliefs regarding EBP, most of them answering that they agreed or strongly agreed that EBP is necessary (71.6%), the relevant literature is useful for practice (61.3%), EBP improves the quality of patient care (64.1%) and evidence helps in decision-making (44.5%). Forty-one percent of the respondents indicated that a lack of research skills was the most important barrier to the use of evidence in practice. Conclusion: The physical therapists reported that they had a positive attitude to EBP and were interested in learning about or improving the skills necessary to adopt EBP in their clinical practice.

Objetivo: Describir en un grupo colombiano de fisioterapeutas las i) creencias y actitudes hacia la practica basada en la evidencia (PBE), ii) la educación, el conocimiento y las habilidades para implementar la PBE; iii) el uso de la literatura relevante en la práctica clínica; iv) el acceso y la disponibilidad de información científica; y v) la percepción de las barreras para la inclusión de la PBE. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal en 1,064 fisioterapeutas colombianos. El estudio usó el cuestionario que consta de 50-ítems para estimar las actitudes, creencias, conocimientos y habilidades hacia la PBE. Dicho instrumento fue adaptado y validado en Colombia por Flórez-López et al. Resultados: La mayoría de la población participante fueron mujeres (77.2%) en edades comprendidas entre 22 y 29 años (79.4%). El 87.7% de los encuestados eran titulados en fisioterapia. Los fisioterapeutas manifestaron tener actitudes y creencias positivas hacia la PBE. Una mayoría respondió que estaba de acuerdo o muy de acuerdo en que es necesaria la PBE (71.6%), en que la literatura es útil para la práctica clínica (61.3%), que la PBE mejora la calidad de la atención a los pacientes (64.1%), y en que la evidencia ayuda en la toma de decisiones clínicas (44.5%). El 41.0% de los encuestados indicaron que la falta de habilidades de investigación era la barrera más importante para el uso de la evidencia científica en la práctica clínica. Conclusiones: Los fisioterapeutas manifestaron una actitud positiva acerca la PBE y estaban interesados en aprender o mejorar las habilidades necesarias para adoptar la PBE en la práctica clínica.

Cumplimiento de las recomendaciones en rehabilitación respiratoria de la British Thoracic Society en pacientes con fibrosis quística: estudio en fisioterapeutas colombianos / Adherence to the recommendations in respiratory rehabilitation of the British Thoracic Society in patients with cystic fibrosis: a study of colombian physiotherapists

Con el objetivo de evaluar el cumplimiento de las recomendaciones en rehabilitación respiratoria (ReR), planteadas por la British Thoracic Society (BTS) en pacientes con fibrosis quística (FQ) se realizó un estudio transversal entre 224 fisioterapeutas colombianos para identificar el tipo de intervenciones y las características de los programas de ReR como componentes del cumplimiento de las guías clínicas basadas en la evidencia de la BTS. Un elevado porcentaje de profesionales respondieron “realizar siempre” intervenciones con alto nivel de evidencia (grado A) como: técnicas de higiene bronquial (54,0%) y ciclo activo de la respiración (35,3%). Se observaron también intervenciones con menor grado de recomendación (grado D) como: uso de solución salina hipertónica y broncodilatador para evitar el broncoespasmo (33,9%), y técnicas de terapia manual o ejercicios de movilidad torácica y resistida (38,4%) para corregir problemas posturales y respiratorios. En conclusión, se encontraron importantes discrepancias con las intervenciones y componentes sugeridos por BTS en pacientes con FQ.

The aim was to evaluate compliance with the recommendations in respiratory rehabilitation (ReR), raised by the British Thoracic Society (BTS) in patients with cystic fibrosis. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 224 Colombian physiotherapists to identify interventions and components of ReR programs as recommended by the BTS. Interventions with high level of evidence (Grade A) such as: Bronchial Hygiene Therapy (54.0%), and Active Cycle of Breathing Techniques (35.3%) were identified. However, high percentage of physiotherapists practiced interventions with lower grade of recommendation (Grade D) such as: hypertonic saline and bronchodilator to prevent bronchospasm (33.9%), and using manual therapy techniques and thoracic mobility exercises (38.4%) to correct postural and breathing problems. In conclusions we confirm important differences in therapeutic assistant components of the ReR raised by the BTS for patients with cystic fibrosis.

Análise do perfil, funções e habilidades do fisioterapeuta com atuação na área esportiva nas modalidades de futebol e voleibol no Brasil / Analysis of the profile, areas of action and abilities of Brazilian sports physical therapists working with soccer and volleyball

OBJETIVO: Investigar o perfil do fisioterapeuta com atuação na área esportiva nas modalidades de futebol e voleibol no Brasil no que tange à sua formação, atuação e grau de autonomia dentro da equipe interdisciplinar. MÉTODOS: Foram analisados questionários estruturados para levantamento de dados sociodemográficos, dados relativos ao ambiente de trabalho e à prática clínica e os seus domínios, referentes a 49 fisioterapeutas de clubes e seleções de futebol e voleibol. RESULTADOS: Do total de entrevistados, apenas cinco fisioterapeutas eram do sexo feminino, e a idade média do grupo era de 32,2 anos. A maioria dos fisioterapeutas brasileiros que atuam no esporte possuem especialização em diversas áreas (78,2 por cento), foram contratados por indicação (78,2 por cento), trabalham mais de 8 horas/dia ou em regime de dedicação exclusiva (80,0 por cento) e recebem de sete a dez ou mais salários mínimos (58,2 por cento). Além disso, observou-se uma grande participação do fisioterapeuta nos domínios do atendimento emergencial (87,3 por cento), prevenção (92,7 por cento), reabilitação funcional (98,2 por cento) e retorno após lesão (100 por cento). O fisioterapeuta com atuação no esporte relata haver uma boa relação interdisciplinar, sobretudo com o preparador físico na reabilitação funcional (70,9 por cento), com o médico do clube na decisão do retorno do atleta após reabilitação (74,5 por cento) e no veto ou liberação do atleta para jogos/treinos (63,6 por cento). Entretanto, muitos reclamaram de ameaças à sua autonomia, principalmente pelo profissional médico. CONCLUSÃO: Ainda existe a necessidade de investir na formação específica do profissional fisioterapeuta esportivo, visando a uma melhor especialização na área esportiva e consolidando conceitos importantes da área por meio de um melhor entendimento de referenciais teóricos e de atuação clínica.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the profile of Brazilian physical therapists working with soccer and volleyball professional teams, by verifying their level of education (graduate or undergraduate), as well as their role and insertion within the interdisciplinary team. METHODS: Structured questionnaires were administered to forty-nine physical therapists working at soccer, volleyball clubs and Brazilian national teams. These questionnaires provided data on social demographic, characteristics of the work environment and organization of clinical practice and its domains. RESULTS: From the 49 participants in this study only five were female. Mean age of all participants was 32.2 years. The majority of the sports physical therapists had specialization degrees in different areas (78.2 percent), were hired through referral (78.2 percent), worked more than 8 hours a day or were exclusively dedicated to their clubs (80.0 percent) and earned seven to ten Brazilian minimal wages (58.2 percent). They reported to have participation in the domains of emergency care (87.3 percent), prevention (92.7 percent), functional rehabilitation (98.2 percent) and return to competition (100 percent). They had interdisciplinary relationships with physical educators during functional rehabilitation programs (70.9 percent) and with physicians in the decision process of return to activity after rehabilitation (74.5 percent) and on the veto of an athlete to take part in practices or matches (63.6 percent). Therapists also complained of threats to their professional autonomy, specially directed by the team's physician. CONCLUSION: There is still a need to invest in continuing education of sports physical therapists with the objective to improve their educational level and to strengthen their professional autonomy.

Normas para atendimento aos hemofílicos e portadores de coagulopatias congênitas / Rules for attending patients with hemophilia and congenital blood coagulation disorders

O objetivo primordial do trabalho foi dar as linhas gerais de diagnóstico e conduta frente às diversas intercorrências médicas, odontológicas, psico-sociais e fisioterápicas...