Skill development and capacity building program for best practices in rehabilitation

There is a growing body of literature on evidence-based decision-making and best practice development and the skills required for these approaches to influence decisions. A skill development and capacity building (SDCB) program was implemented in 2004 to facilitate the application of clinical best practices in a hospital specializing in adult rehabilitation and complex continuing care. This article describes the pilot program and its evaluation and provides a five-year review of initiatives developed as a result of this program. This innovative program facilitated cross-learning, integration of research, education and practice and brought about positive change for clinical best practice. This program may serve as a model to facilitate best practice and knowledge translation in other healthcare environments by supporting and assisting clinicians in attaining the skills necessary for clinical best practice.