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Occupational therapists' perceptions of evidence-based practice
C J Dubouloz1, M Egan, J Vallerand
1Occupational Therapy Program School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Science, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Dubouloz@uottawa.ca
Summary
Occupational therapists view evidence-based practice as a quest for understanding, linked to research, but also a potential threat. Recommendations aim to enhance its adoption in clinical settings.
Area of Science:
- Occupational therapy
- Evidence-based practice
Background:
- Growing emphasis on evidence-based practice (EBP) in occupational therapy.
- Limited understanding of current therapist practices and perceptions of EBP.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore occupational therapists' current practices and perceptions of evidence-based practice.
- To identify barriers and facilitators to EBP implementation in occupational therapy.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study utilizing a grounded theory approach.
- Semi-structured interviews conducted with eight occupational therapists across diverse settings.
- Inductive data analysis using constant comparison.
Main Results:
- Occupational therapists perceive EBP as a process of seeking understanding.
- EBP is strongly associated with research in their views.
- Some therapists perceive EBP as a potential threat to their practice.
Conclusions:
- Understanding therapists' perceptions is crucial for promoting EBP.
- Addressing the perceived threat and clarifying the role of research can facilitate EBP adoption.
- Recommendations are proposed to increase EBP utilization by occupational therapists.