Intensive care specialists' knowledge, attitudes, and professional use of published research evidence: A mail-out questionnaire survey of appropriate use of research evidence in clinical practice

PurposeThis survey investigates the knowledge, attitudes, and use of published research in clinical practice by intensive care specialists.Materials and MethodsA mail-out questionnaire was sent to randomly selected intensive care specialists registered with the Australian and New Zealand College of Intensive Care Medicine.ResultsThe response rate was 55.9% (133/238). The average score for research knowledge was 2.9 of 6. Eighty-five (65.4%) of 130 respondents reported positive feelings toward using published research evidence in clinical practice, with 96.6% (126/130) reporting use of the concepts of evidence-based medicine at least sometimes. Randomized trials were rated as the most frequently read evidence (rank score, 3.7 of 5), with “Information obtained from the Cochrane Library” the least frequently read (rank score, 2.8 of 5). The most inhibiting barrier to use of published research evidence in practice was “a lack of good evidence providing meaningful answers to clinical problems” (rank score, 3.5 of 5). Eighty-eight (67.7%) of 130 respondents appropriately used published research evidence in clinical practice.ConclusionsRespondents reported generally positive attitudes toward using published research evidence, in clinical practice; however, room for improvement in technical knowledge relating to published research evidence was noted.