Purpose: To contribute evidence for the clarity and interpretability of a new five-item bilingual multidimensional index of a rehabilitation clinician's propensity to integrate research evidence into clinical decision-making. Methods: This study was conducted in three sequential steps: (1) We conducted a focus group with occupational therapists, physical therapists, and researchers to review the items and response options for clarity, consistency, and interval properties and agree on equivalency in English and French. (2) We conducted cognitive interviews whereby clinicians elaborated on their interpretation of the item, comprehensibility of items, and appropriateness of response options. Accepted modifications were integrated and tested with subsequent participants. (3) We conducted an online survey to validate the English and French equivalency of response options on a 0 to 100 scale. Results: During the qualitative revision process (one focus group with 7 participants followed by 27 interviews), the index was revised 12 times with substantial modifications to the use of research evidence and attitudes items. Conclusion: This research increases the clinical relevance and reduces measurement error of this brief index which can inform on individual or organizational factors influencing a clinician's propensity of integrating research evidence into decision-making and ultimately, improve rehabilitation outcomes.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

This study was funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (grant number 148544).

I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained.

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The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below:

The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Institutional Review Board at McGill University gave ethical approval for all phases of this study before commencement and recruitment.

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All data produced or analyzed in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors