Teaching Evidence-Based Practice in a Distance Education Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program: Strategies for Professional Growth and Advancing the Profession

Evidence-based practice has its roots in evidence-based medicine. This term refers to the formulation of treatment decision using the best available research evidence. While the concept has gained increased attention among health care workers in the recent past, practice based on scientific evidence has been recommended for over 300 years. However, all health-related professions continue to report difficulties adopting evidence-based practice. Notably, practitioners are often concerned that results of population-based research may not be relevant for their specific patients. This may be of particular concern for occupational therapists who aim to provide client-centred intervention, taking into consideration individual characteristics of the client, the environment and the occupation. As well, those wishing to practice evidence-based occupational therapy must determine which decisions are made during the course of therapy and what evidence may impact on these decisions. The Occupational Performance Process Model (Fearing, Law & Clark, 1997) outlines the occupational therapy problem solving process and assists therapists to integrate knowledge from both client and therapist. A framework for evidence-based occupational therapy is presented, based on this model.

Download Full-text

The impact of clinical research and evidence-based practice in occupational therapy

Cadernos Brasileiros de Terapia Ocupacional ◽

10.4322/2526-8910.ctoed2801 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 1-4

Author(s):

Franklin Stein

Keyword(s):

Occupational Therapy ◽

Clinical Research ◽

Evidence Based Practice ◽

Evidence Based ◽

The Impact

Download Full-text

Increasing Rehabilitation Therapists’ Confidence Utilizing Evidence-Based Interventions: Pilot Study

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice ◽

10.46743/1540-580x/2018.1759 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Stephanie Hovick ◽

Ingrid Provident

Keyword(s):

Physical Therapy ◽

Occupational Therapy ◽

Evidence Based Practice ◽

Physical Therapists ◽

Skilled Nursing Facility ◽

Occupational Therapists ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Nursing Facility ◽

Skilled Nursing ◽

Confidence Levels

Evidence-based practice enables rehabilitation therapists to provide the best quality of care and outcomes for patients. However, rehabilitation therapists are often not confident in using evidence in many settings. Purpose. The objective of this evidence-based practice project was to determine if educational small group sessions enhanced occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and a speech and language pathologist’s confidence in utilizing and applying evidence. Method. Eleven rehabilitation therapists of multiple disciplines (occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, physical therapists, physical therapy assistants, and a speech and language pathologist) from a skilled nursing facility participated in six educational sessions designed to increase evidence-based practice. A pre- and post-test utilizing the Evidence-Based Practice Profile Questionnaire (EBPPQ), measured change in therapists’confidence regarding evidence-based practice. Results. Results on the Evidence-Based Practice Profile Questionnaire concluded that 7 of 11 rehabilitation therapists reported an increase in confidence levels. Conclusion. Educational small group sessions can be an effective method to assist rehabilitation therapists in developing this confidence. KEYWORDS: Evidence-based practice, confidence levels, rehabilitation therapists, educational sessions, skilled nursing facility

Download Full-text