For myself, being a physiotherapist is to be able to assure quality of practice, and this can be achieved by utilising evidence-based practice within our assessing and treating of the people under my care (1). The use of evidence-based practice is something that is not always well implemented in healthcare practice, however its use can elicit positive effects on patient treatment and outcomes (2,3). This meant that the Masters course in physiotherapy I completed was very encouraging in the use of evidence-based practice that enabled my skills to grow and through my own reading, make my own informed decisions on different treatment strategies.

One piece of reading I completed was through a paper I read on the non-operative management of ACL injuries, that reported no difference in outcomes compared to surgically managed anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries (4). This sparked interest for me and helped shape my dissertation topic around the non-surgical management of ACL-deficient knee’s. However, one study is not necessarily enough evidence to inform future treatment strategies, therefore, I had to systematically search for evidence (evidenced – Dissertation: Literature Searching & Appendices – Search Strategy & Data extraction and synthesis) around ACL-deficient exercise management where I was able to compile my search results into tabular form (evidenced Dissertation: Literature Searching & Appendices – Appendix 1 & Appendix 2), demonstrating the descriptor under using evidence to lead practice (5).

Through the systematic searches of literature I completed throughout my Dissertation: Literature Searching & Appendices, I was then able to consider gaps within the current literature through critically appraising the evidence identified within my systematic review (5). My idea was solely around the inclusion of running-based agility training in the management of ACL-deficient knee’s, and I was able to identify issues within the literature and practice that there appears to be no guidelines regarding setting parameters of running-based agility training in ACL-deficient non-operative management strategies (evidenced – Dissertation: Conclusion – Discussion) (5). I was able to use the information that I obtained from the systematic review to formulate a research proposal in order to address the problems and issues arising in practice through this given topic (evidenced – Dissertation: Conclusion – Conclusion) (5).

I was able further practice my skills in order to use evidence to lead practice during another assignment, where I completed a similar task but in a much smaller fashion (5). During this assignment, I had to once again systematically search for evidence which I completed during Task 3, where I had to synthesis literature on a chosen topic (evidenced Task 3: Appendices – Introduction & Appendix 1) (5). This synthetisation of literature enabled me to look closely at the topic and protocols on a rehabilitation intervention of stroke patients on gait parameters for the most effective treatment strategies. I was then able to critically appraise the papers identified for the appraisal of literature and use this information to address the problems and issues arising in practice of not having a clear lower limb strength-training protocol to produce gait parameter improvements for future clinical interventions for myself on stroke patients, however, my reading assisted my compile practical recommendations that can be utilised in a practical setting (evidenced – Task 3: Practical Implications) (5). This has helped me to seek to continuously improve and exhibits a commitment to excellence for myself and the care and treatment I deliver to patients throughout my physiotherapy career (5,6).

Reference List

1. Council H and CP. Physiotherapists | The Standards of Proficiency For Physiotherapists [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2020 Mar 24]. Available from: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/standards/standards-of-proficiency/physiotherapists/
2. Titler MG. The Evidence for Evidence-Based Practice Implementation [Internet]. Patient Safety and Quality: An Evidence-Based Handbook for Nurses. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (US); 2008 [cited 2020 Jul 22]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21328760
3. Youngblut JM, Brooten D. Evidence-based nursing practice: why is it important? AACN Clin Issues [Internet]. 2001 [cited 2020 Jul 22];12(4):468–76. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11759419/
4. Frobell RB, Roos EM, Roos HP, Ranstam J, Lohmander LS. A Randomized Trial of Treatment for Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears A BS TR AC T. N Engl J Med. 2010;363:331–73.
5. Physiotherapy CS of. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy Framework [Internet]. 2013 [cited 2020 Mar 23]. Available from: http://www.csp.org.uk/professional-union/careers-development/cpd/csp-eportfolio/my-eportfolio/cpd-
6. Charted Society of Physiotherapy. Chartered Society of Physiotherapy xx Professional Values of Members’ Code and Behaviour 2 Code of Members’ Professional Values and Behaviours [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2019 Apr 9]. Available from: https://www.csp.org.uk/system/files/csp_code_of_professional_values_behaviour_full.pdf