CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION AMONG PEDIATRIC PHYSICAL THERAPISTS IN THE UNITED STATES

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the use and general knowledge translation of the 2018 APPT CPG for CMT among pediatric physical therapists in the United States.

Methods: An anonymous voluntary online survey was administered to pediatric PTs across the US.

Results: Descriptive analysis of the data showed that the majority of respondents (65.5%) use the APPT CPG for CMT to direct their examination of patients with CMT. However, when asked about knowledge brokering activities, the majority are: 1.) not participating in the training or education of other healthcare staff about the CMT-CPG (82.7%); 2.) not sharing the CMT-CPG with non-medical personnel (55.6%); nor 3.) are they initiating any original research of their own related to CMT (95%). APPT Members report brokering knowledge more than PTs who do not belong to the APPT.

Conclusions: Although this research was limited by survey attrition and a small sample size, the results show that the respondents are implementing the CPG for their patients with CMT. It also shows that the majority of respondents are not participating in active knowledge brokering activities. Membership in the APPT appears to show more positive results. Clinical Relevance: This research may be particularly useful in light of the multiple developing clinical practice guidelines supported by the APPT, and the importance of efforts to promote knowledge brokering activities not only among PTs who are members of the APPT, but also among PTs who are not members of the APPT.