Date of Graduation

2014

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Type

EdD

College

College of Education and Human Services

Department

Curriculum & Instruction/Literacy Studies

Committee Chair

Nathan Sorber

Committee Co-Chair

Ernest Goeres

Committee Member

Lauryl Lefebvre

Committee Member

George Mamboleo

Committee Member

Ericka Zimmerman

Abstract

Many professions, including medicine, engineering, and design, have embraced the notion of using research to making informed decisions, thus increasing client satisfaction. Called evidence based practice (EBP) in Athletic Training; the concept is viewed as a means to promote the profession, not only through improved patient care, but also through increasing the reputation of athletic trainers as cost-effective health care providers. Over the past two decades, EBP has become a common term and subject of study. However, the extent of research regarding barriers and facilitators to the use of EBP within athletic training lags behind that of other health care professions. The objective of this study was to advance the knowledge of barriers and facilitators of EBP that practitioners face so that others can use this information to promote a change in educational proactices used to encourage research use among Athletic Trainers. The instrument consisted of the Barriers to Research Utilization Scale (BARRIERS Scale), a scale of facilitators, a series of questions regarding frequency of EBP and research utilization, and demographic questions. The survey was completed by 313 Athletic Trainers listed as Certified-Regular members of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA).;The results indicated that the three greatest barriers to EBP in athletic training include a feeling of being overwhelmed by the amount of research information (M = 3.18, SD = 1.23), a lack of time to read research (M = 3.12, SD = 1.32), and facilities that are inadequate for implementation (M = 3.12, SD = 1.20). The three greatest facilitators were found to be an increased budget for continuing education courses, workshops, or presentations (M = 4.08, SD = 1.11), the availability of research that is applicable to the clinician's needs (M = 4.02, SD = 0.92), and research that is clinically focused and relevant (M = 3.86, SD = 1.01).;The study found a number of similarities to barriers and facilitators identified by studies previously conducted with other health care professions. However it also found a number of topics that differed from that of previous studies, such as the feeling of not having the authority to change patient care was found to be the least likely barrier to research utilization (M = 2.38, SD = 1.30).;The study also found that athletic trainers need further knowledge and experience with the steps to evidence-based practice as the first and arguably most important step, formulating an answerable question, was found to be among the steps least frequently completed (M = 3.13, SD = 0.94). Professionals may also benefit from a greater understanding of how to critically appraise the quality of research as this step was completed least frequently (M = 2.78, SD = 1.02).;This research may provide many contributions to the field of athletic training as it is the first to identify the barriers and facilitators to research utilization within the profession. The results of this study may also serve as a source of information for the development of future EBP technique workshops, presentations, and programs. The techniques used in this study as well as the information gained may be relatable to professions aspiring to move toward an evidence-informed model.

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