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Camden C.1, Rivard L.2, Hurtubise K.3, Berbari J.3
1Sherbrooke University, School of Rehabilitation, Sherbrooke, Canada, 2McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, 3Sherbrooke University, Sherbrooke, Canada
Background: Knowledge translation (KT) research aims to develop, implement, and evaluate strategies to transfer research evidence into clinical practice. Various research-to-practice gaps have been documented in paediatric physiotherapy practice, including the tendency for PTs to focus on impairment rather than on participation in children with disabilities. Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is one population for which such gaps exist. KT research could potentially decrease these gaps, improve the services offered to children with DCD and other disabilities, and contribute to expanding the scope of paediatric PT practice.
Purpose: This presentation describes three KT research projects designed to decrease the knowledge-to-practice gaps in DCD PT practice. Reflections on how KT research could bridge the gap between documented best practices and the current paediatric PT practice will also be discussed.
Methods: The first DCD KT project evaluated the impact of an evidence-based online module on PTs self-perceived DCD knowledge, skills and practice. Specifically, 50 PTs completed questionnaires before, immediately after, and 3 months following viewing a DCD PT online module. The second project emerged from the need to support PTs in implementing best practices and embedded the online module in a community of practice (CoP) in Québec, Canada. Specifically, changes in clinical behaviours were measured (pre/post) for 41 PTs engaged in the CoP, where an online forum was available between two full-day, face-to-face workshops offered 5 months apart. The third and ongoing project focused on developing a provincial partnership between PTs, other health care professionals, individuals with DCD and their families. The aim of this partnership is to collectively identify priorities for DCD, and support the development of PT and interdisciplinary services based on best practices, including clinical and community activities.
Results: The online DCD module was effective in increasing PTs self-perceived DCD knowledge and skills, but, as a passive KT dissemination strategy, demonstrated limited improvement on practice. The CoP appeared more effective in improving PTs DCD practice, as measured by their confidence in using DCD best practice, and in improving specific behavioural change goals. However, as the CoP included PTs only, it limited the opportunity for improving interdisciplinary collaboration and service delivery, which are recognized factors limiting PTs ability to practice effectively. These findings informed the development of the ongoing partnership-focused KT project.
Conclusion(s): KT research can advance our understanding of how best to transfer knowledge to practice and improve clinical service delivery. We believe that our partnership project will not only help decrease PT DCD knowledge-to-practice gaps but also increase the support provided to individuals with DCD. It is our hope that this can be achieved by improving collaboration between PTs and other stakeholders, to enhance the participation of children with disabilities at school and in the community.
Implications: KT strategies to improve PT best practice should include long-term, sustained interactions between PTs and other stakeholders. KT strategies also need to focus on supporting the implementation of paediatric PT best practice in various practice contexts, which may entail re-thinking the provision of clinical services and community support for children with disabilities.
Funding acknowledgements: Canadian Physitherapy Association; Québec Rehabilitation Institute in Physical Disaibility; Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Sherbrooke University
Topic: Paediatrics
Ethics approval: McMaster University; Interdisciplinary Rehabilitation Research Centre from Montreal; Ethic Committee from the CIUSSS de lEstrie CHUS & Other Ethics Committees
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
