Evidence-based health care: A survey of speech pathology practice

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential to providing quality health care. However, we know little about how speech pathologists seek information and what barriers exist that interfere with this process. The purpose of this report was to explore the sources of evidence that guide speech pathologists' practice and also their attitudes toward research. A questionnaire was sent to 697 speech pathologists in Victoria, Australia, asking about the sources of evidence they used to guide their practice and attitudes toward research. Fifty-four percent responded. The majority of clinicians had heard of EBP and had some idea of its meaning. They also placed a high value on research. All had access to various sources of evidence including continuing education programmes, journals, Internet, and clinical guidelines. Yet, clinicians indicated that they infrequently accessed these sources and that there was little to no time to do so, which are both significant barriers to EBP. We believe that clinicians value EBP and the importance of research in managing their caseloads, but there are barriers. The challenges uncovered can improve with the support of professional bodies, training programs, and employers and managers who can influence and reinforce a culture of EBP.