The EBP Dilemma: Why Physiotherapists Struggle to Integrate Research into Clinical Practice

Abstract

Background: Evidence-based practice (EBP) has become fundamental in contemporary healthcare, focusing on integrating the best available evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values to guide clinical decisions. This approach seeks to enhance patient outcomes by ensuring physiotherapy interventions are based on scientific research, customized to individual needs, and aligned with patient preferences.

Purpose: To promote the integration of evidence based principles into physiotherapy practice, fostering a culture of critical thinking, continuous learning and patient-centered care, while also identifying the barriers that physiotherapists encounter when attempting to integrate EBP into their practice.

Methodology: Literature search was conducted on PubMed using EBP, physiotherapy, clinical practice,

implementation, barriers. 34 articles were found, out of which articles published in English language were studied in order to find out the effectiveness of EBP in clinical practice and the challenges being faced in the implementation of EBP in physiotherapy. The study included randomized controlled trials published in the last five years, available in full text, and written in English. The studies specifically focused on physiotherapists.

Results: Between 2020 and 2025, 14 free-full text English articles were published. The titles and abstracts of these articles were screened, following that 8 articles were excluded. In the end, 6 studies were included in the current review.

Conclusion: Physiotherapists globally acknowledge EBP as vital for advancing the profession. However, its integration faces challenges, including time constraints, limited research access, and insufficient training and mentorship. Organizational and systemic barriers further hinder implementation.

While leadership support and educational initiatives act as enablers, overall progress remains constrained. The review emphasized the need for high-quality research to address existing gaps and foster effective EBP adoption in clinical physiotherapy profession.