Assignment 18: Annotated Bibliography 2

Source:

Schreiber, Joseph, et al. “Knowledge Translation and Implementation Special Series. The Use of a

Knowledge Translation Program to Increase Use of Standardized Outcome Measures in an Outpatient

Pediatric Physical Therapy Clinic: Administrative Case Report.” Vol. 95, no. 4, Apr. 2015, pp. 613–629.

Summary:

There are many researches conducted to improve the implications of pediatric physical therapy, but the application of research evidence is hardly used. "Knowledge translation (KT) is defined as the exchange, synthesis, and ethically sound application of knowledge within a complex system of interactions among researchers and users." In this study, researchers have conducted a Knowledge Translation Program, which would improve the knowledge and use of research evidence. This program was conducted in 4 clinics with a total of 18 physical therapists, but only 17 physical therapists' outcomes were used, since the 18th physical therapist resigned. The program was outlined by the identification of barriers, the use of a knowledge broker, multiple workshop and practice sessions, online and hardcopy resources, and an ongoing evaluation. The first barrier identified was the inconsistency of service among physical therapist. Since this study was not focused on the differences of knowledge and skills, researchers spoke to administrators to support the limited use of standardized outcome measures. The next step was providing assessments, workshops, books and online materials, conducting surveys and data, and establishing effective communication through staff meetings and emails. These were crucial in examining results and determining outcome measures, because without them, the research would be invalid. Researches came to a conclusion that their Knowledge Translation Program was effective and showed an increase in documentation and patient recovery. Based on these positive results, clinics should consider utilizing a similar program. Though the results were apparent, there were some flaws that were not controlled. Since the research is fairly new and has not been reevaluated, the validity of the outcome scores were not well established. Though researchers part of the KT program may reconsider this framework to create an effective program.

Potential Quotes:

"Knowledge translation (KT) is defined as the exchange, synthesis, and ethically sound application of knowledge within a complex system of interactions among researchers and users."

Pediatric physical therapists encounter challenges related to the administration of the research evidence to clinical practice. These challenges can be overcome through a multicomponent knowledge translation program.

"This program was conducted at a pediatric outpatient facility with 1 primary clinic and 3 additional satellite clinics, and a total of 18 therapists. Patients from birth to 18 years of age and with a wide variety of diagnoses received services at each clinic site. The 18 staff physical therapists of practitioners, including new graduates and those with more than 20 years of experience. Five individuals were board certified pediatric clinical specialists, 3 had an entry-level bachelor's degree, 8 had an entry-level master's degree, and 7 had a doctorate in physical therapy."

"Self-reported knowledge of testing and measurement significantly improved across the 4 subdomains of test selection, administration, interpretation, and sharing of results between baseline and 8-month follow-up."

"The KT program described in this case report led to improved knowledge and increased frequency of performance of standardized outcome measures in a pediatric outpatient clinic... Key factor included identification of clinical problem, administrative support, multifaceted intervention, ready access to knowledge materials, and sustained interaction with knowledge brokers (KB)."

Evaluation of Resource:

This source is reliable, because the research was conducted by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The APTA is the official organization of physical therapists in the United States. Their extensive researches cost millions of dollars and are accredited to notable researchers and physical therapists -- for this researchJoseph Schreiber, Gregor F. Marchetti, Brook Racicot, Ellen Kaminiski, and many more, with a credible background, participated in this. This study was published in April 2015 and is one of the latest studies conducted for the effects of knowledge translation. I was able to access this information through a credible source, Galileo.

Reflection:

When I first thought about my essential question, I was focused on how a pediatric physical therapist utilizes patient information, parental opinions, and other factors to design a plan of care, but from reading this research, an effective plan of care extends to a physical therapist's practice and usage of researches conducted by the APTA. If a physical therapist is not implementing the latest research and strategies needed to treat their patients, their plan of care will be ineffective, leading to an untreated patient. After reading this article, I went to my mentor to get her input and asked her how she implements APTA research into her practice. She briefly explained to me that "Everyone has their own way of practice. Keith over there has been treating for 17 years, and I know he isn't the same therapist he was in his first year of treating. Looking back at myself 5 years ago, I laugh at how I treated patients, and I know in the next 5 years I will be laughing at myself now. Whenever I read or hear about the latest research the APTA has conducted, I think about how extensive the research is and if there are credible sources to back their research. Like with anything, you can't be hasty and jump into things without knowing all the details." From what she told me, it made sense that not everyone is going to quickly implement APTA researches into their practice, because of their personal way of practice and how much research is conducted.