Current Journal Article Provision for the Physical Therapy Clinicians of One Department

Studies of human service professionals, such as mental health and rehabilitation counseling supervisors, social workers, physicians, and physical therapists, have revealed a primary preference among these professionals for information sources other than journal articles.1–6 Journals are, nonetheless, a rich source of relatively current information that is thought by many physical therapists to be useful in their practice.7 Moreover, journals are still primary mediums through which research findings are communicated. These findings, being objective, may provide a more valid rationale for care than “wise and experienced” teachers, “well-known” practitioners, “private opinions,” untested hypotheses, or “before and after” comparisons of client status.8 Brau suggests that research may provide the most legitimate foundation for “standards of care.”9 Therefore, journal articles, particularly those summarizing current research, remain a potentially important source of information to the physical therapy clinician.