Relationship between competency for evidence-based practice and level of burnout of physical therapists with the establishment of the therapeutic relationship

ABSTRACT

Background

Evidence-based practice (EBP) interventions and effective therapeutic alliance (TA) are associated with greater treatment success. Furthermore, burnout syndrome could be detrimental to the development of such TA.

Objective

To examine the association between EBP competencies and burnout level with the quality of TA among Spanish physiotherapists.

Methods

Cross-sectional research with an electronic survey including the EBP Questionnaire-19, Maslach Burnout Inventory and Working Alliance Inventory-Short (WAI-S) and administered to 471 physiotherapists.

Results

Regarding the EBP Questionnaire-19, physiotherapists scored highest on attitude and lowest on knowledge. For WAIS which achieved appropriate results of internal consistency and validity in the sample analyzed, bond scored the highest and goals the lowest. Years of experience was significantly associated with the task (r = 0.5; p = .003) and bond (r = 0.7; p = .002) and the WAIS total score (r = 0.8; p < .001), and all burnout subscales (−0.7 < r > 0.7; p < .001 for all).

Conclusion

Lower levels of burnout and improved EBP competencies are associated with a TA of greater quality. The association between attitudes toward EBP, a higher level of self-confidence and a lower perception of depersonalization appear to be determinant factors for improving TA.

KEYWORDS:

• Therapeutic relationship
• occupational burnout
• physical therapy specialty
• quality of health care
• person-centered care

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the CEU Cardenal Herrera University and the San Pablo University-Santander Foundation (FUSP) [PCC11/201].