Table 2 Participant attitudes toward evidence-based practice (n = 473)

Evidence-based practice is necessary in the practice of osteopathy

2 (0.4)

16 (3.4)

38 (8)

259(54.8)

158 (33.4)

Professional literature (ie: journals & textbooks) and research findings are useful in my day-to-day practice

2 (0.4)

10 (2.1)

37 (7.8)

262 (55.4)

162(34.3)

I am interested in learning or improving the skills necessary to incorporate evidence-based practice into my osteopathic practice

2 (0.4)

5 (1.1)

18 (3.9)

242 (51.1)

206 (43.5)

Evidence-based practice improves the quality of my patient’s care

4 (0.8)

18 (3.9)

90 (19)

238 (50.3)

123 (26)

Evidence-based practice assists me in making decisions about patient care

3 (0.6)

19 (4)

81 (17.2)

245 (51.8)

125 (26.4)

Evidence-based practice takes into account my clinical experience when making clinical decisions

4 (0.8)

22 (4.7)

78 (16.5)

269 (56.9)

100 (21.1)

Evidence-based practice takes into account a patient’s preference for treatment

10 (2.1)

111 (23.5)

151 (31.9)

146 (30.9)

55 (11.6)

The adoption of evidence-based practice places an unreasonable demand on my practice

33 (7)

237 (50.1)

144 (30.4)

49 (10.4)

10 (2.1)

There is a lack of evidence from clinical trials to support most of the treatments I use in my practice

14 (3)

133 (28.1)

107 (22.6)

179 (37.8)

40 (8.5)

Prioritizing evidence-based practice within osteopathic practice is fundamental to the advancement of the profession

8 (1.7)

34 (7.2)

60 (12.6)

197 (41.7)

174 (36.8)