Conclusion
To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first attempt at exploring the
construct of (lack of) time for CPG uptake in relation to the PTs’
readiness to behaviour change. ’Lack of time’ is a commonly reported
barrier in research into improving evidence uptake in professional
physiotherapy practice. This study shows that ’lack of time’ is a
euphemism for quite different barriers, which map to different stages of
readiness to embrace current best evidence into physiotherapy practice.
For people who are not ready to change their clinical practice
behaviours, statements about ’lack of time’ may relate to evidence
uptake being a low priority, or with lack of awareness of the need to
change, or incentives to make changes. For people who are contemplating
making changes to their evidence-implementing behaviours, statements
about ’lack of time’ may relate to perceived lack of skills and/or
knowledge, concerns about how to commence a change process in their
local contexts, or perceived lack of support from colleagues or
management. For people who are embracing behaviour change, ’lack of
time’ may relate to competing priorities of learning and doing or making
enough inroads into current workload to establish and maintain changed
practices. Embracing and actioning evidence-informed practice is
essential to improve professional practice and maintain standards. By
understanding what is meant by ’lack of time’, it may indicate the
specific support required by physiotherapists at different stages of
changing their behaviours.