BMC Health Serv Res. 2026 Jun 5. doi: 10.1186/s12913-026-14843-1. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Evidence based medicine is a critical cornerstone in contemporary medicine, yet uptake and adoption of evidence remain suboptimal. This is prominent in many fields of healthcare, including musculoskeletal health and surgery. Understanding the drivers of this translational lag is critical to ensure high-quality care and improved patient outcomes.
METHODS: A survey questionnaire, informed by the Theoretical Domains Framework was distributed to musculoskeletal clinicians and healthcare professionals, including surgeons, physiotherapists and nurses, around Australia. We assessed the barriers and enablers to translating evidence into practice, preferred sources of evidence for clinical decision-making, and the main drivers of change and improving implementation. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were assessed using inductive thematic analysis.
RESULTS: 771 clinicians were invited to participate, of whom 82 completed the survey. Participants were from Australia and covered a range of disciplines, including surgeons, nurses and physiotherapists. In general, participants were supportive of evidence-based medicine and more than 90% agreed that engagement with literature was essential for determining the best treatment options. All respondents also considered delivery of evidence-based care to be a professional responsibility. Nonetheless, multiple barriers to translating evidence into practice were identified: poor support from leadership and professional culture (n=33, >40%), policy reform (n=18, >20%), improving access to research and the prioritisation of clinically relevant and practical evidence (n=25, >30%).
CONCLUSION: This survey study highlights the barriers surrounding the translation of research evidence into musculoskeletal care. Improving implementation will require multifaceted strategies including building stronger clinical and executive leadership, fostering supportive professional cultures and updating policy frameworks. Future research should evaluate these approaches to determine the most effective method for embedding evidence-based medicine into routine musculoskeletal care.
PMID:42249490 | DOI:10.1186/s12913-026-14843-1
