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

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.