BACKGROUND: Intensive efforts are aimed at understanding student attributes in anticipation that this will lead to effective knowledge translation (KT) strategies. One attribute of interest is practice style trait: four have been identified ranging from the seeker, who is driven by scientific evidence, to the pragmatist, who is driven by practicality. PURPOSE: To identify the prevalence of the four traits among student clinicians and explore associations between these traits, clinician characteristics and practice behaviours. METHODS: Ninety-two occupational therapy and 86 physical therapy students completed a survey that elicited information on traits, clinician characteristics, and practice behaviours. FINDINGS: The most prevalent trait was pragmatic, the least, seeker at <1%. The most prevalent reason for choosing an intervention was "it was used by my clinical supervisor". IMPLICATIONS: Educators should carefully reconsider the implication of using KT strategies that cater primarily to seekers. Research is warranted to explore the impact of matching educational strategies to traits.
BACKGROUND: Intensive efforts are aimed at understanding student attributes in anticipation that this will lead to effective knowledge translation (KT) strategies. One attribute of interest is practice style trait: four have been identified ranging from the seeker, who is driven by scientific evidence, to the pragmatist, who is driven by practicality. PURPOSE: To identify the prevalence of the four traits among student clinicians and explore associations between these traits, clinician characteristics and practice behaviours. METHODS: Ninety-two occupational therapy and 86 physical therapy students completed a survey that elicited information on traits, clinician characteristics, and practice behaviours. FINDINGS: The most prevalent trait was pragmatic, the least, seeker at <1%. The most prevalent reason for choosing an intervention was "it was used by my clinical supervisor". IMPLICATIONS: Educators should carefully reconsider the implication of using KT strategies that cater primarily to seekers. Research is warranted to explore the impact of matching educational strategies to traits.