Evidence-based radiography : a new methodology or the systematisation of an old practice?

Abrantes, AFCL; Ribeiro, LPV; da Silva, CA; England, A; Azevedo, KB; Almeida, RPP; Canha Reis, MV

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence based radiography (EBR) is the logical development of
evidence based practice applied to radiography. The aim of this study was to
investigate the opinion of a cohort of Portuguese radiographers in Southern Portugal
working in public hospitals regarding evidence based practice (EBP), namely about the
levels of knowledge about EBR, how they access information and how they use it
within daily practice.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was applied to a sample of 40
radiographers in the Portuguese region of Algarve. This questionnaire was validated for
Portuguese speakers using the translation-retranslation method.

Results: The final response rate was 69% (40/58). Results suggest that most
radiographers trained EBR during their undergraduate training. Although, no
statistically significant correlations were found in the practice of EBR against participant
gender, age, training, career level, reading papers and workplace. The most frequent
reason to read papers is the “interest” to do so, and national professional journals are
read more often. It was found that radiographers that read scientific papers more
frequently know more about research (p=0.005), understand the importance of
research for the professional activity (p=0.023), and know more on how to conduct
research papers (p=0.034).

Conclusion: EBR within radiography is not yet well established, and radiographers’
have varying viewpoints. Radiographers that read scientific papers more frequently
understand better the philosophy behind this concept but it is very important to deepen
the knowledge on this area.

Implications for Practice: When practicing radiography based on the best available
scientific knowledge, professionals are ensuring the best for patients and for
profession. To achieve this, and before taking any action, it is important to evaluate the
current situation, and this research presents a way to do so.

Citation

Abrantes, A., Ribeiro, L., da Silva, C., England, A., Azevedo, K., Almeida, R., & Canha Reis, M. (2020). Evidence-based radiography : a new methodology or the systematisation of an old practice?. Radiography, 26(2), 127-132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.09.010

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 30, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Oct 18, 2019
• Publication Date: May 1, 2020
• Deposit Date: Nov 25, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 18, 2020
• Journal: Radiography
• Print ISSN: 1078-8174
• Electronic ISSN: 1532-2831
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 127-132
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.09.010
• Publisher URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radi.2019.09.010
• Related Public URLs: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/radiography