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Barriers to Psychologists’ Adherence to Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines for Treating Musculoskeletal Injuries Within the State Insurance Regulatory Authority Compensation Schemes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 August 2019

Tahira Haider Open the ORCID record for Tahira Haider [Opens in a new window]  and
Debra A. Dunstan
Tahira Haider*
Affiliation:
University of New England, Australia
Debra A. Dunstan
Affiliation:
University of New England, Australia
*
Address for correspondence: Tahira Haider, PhD, Clinical Psychologist, School of Psychology & Social Science, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351 Australia. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives:

The use of evidence-based practice (EBP) guidelines by psychologists working within the State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA) compensation schemes for treating musculoskeletal injuries has been found to vary. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore psychologists’ perceived barriers to adhering with EBP guidelines implemented by the New South Wales (NSW) SIRA.

Methods:

Registered psychologists (n = 20) working within the NSW SIRA compensation schemes participated in four focus groups conducted face-to-face (F2F) and online. Participants’ responses were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and entered into NVivo 11 software. Text data were analysed to identify recurrent themes within and across groups (metropolitan, regional and rural).

Results:

Thematic analysis revealed three key issues: (a) a lack of trust in the validity of the recommended EBP guidelines; (b) lack of knowledge of the psychologist’s role in this context and insufficient skills to fully apply the guidelines, protocols and procedures; and (c) a poor fit between EBP guidelines, client presentations and circumstances, and the SIRA compensation schemes.

Conclusion

The findings showed that both individual practitioner variables and contextual barriers influenced adherence to EBP. Practical implications for future research include generating recommendations to overcome the identified barriers using a collaborative approach between policymakers, researchers and practitioners.

Keywords

disability management interventionmusculoskeletal injuriesevidence based practice guidelines
Type
Article
Information
International Journal of Disability Management , Volume 14 , 2019 , e2
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2019 

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