Organisational support for evidence-based practice: occupational therapists perceptions.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Occupational Therapy
• Evidence-Based Practice Implementation

Background:

• Organizational barriers significantly impede the adoption of evidence-based practice (EBP) in healthcare settings.
• Systematic organizational support is crucial for integrating EBP into routine clinical workflows.
• This study investigates how organizational initiatives influence the culture and practice of occupational therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore occupational therapy staff perceptions of organizational initiatives supporting evidence-based practice.
• To understand the influence of these initiatives on workplace culture and clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 occupational therapists.
• Participants were employed at a major metropolitan hospital in Brisbane, Australia.
• The study focused on perceptions of organizational strategies designed to promote EBP.

Main Results:

• Four key themes emerged: embedding a research-valuing culture, aligning professional identity with EBP models, managing the change process (pride, confidence, pressure), and implementing evidence-based changes in clinical practice.
• Organizational initiatives were perceived to foster a culture that values research and EBP.
• Therapists reported changes in their professional identity and clinical practices due to these initiatives.

Conclusions:

• Organizational initiatives positively influence workplace culture, clinician identity, and clinical practice changes.
• Considering organizational factors is essential for enhancing the use of evidence in practice.
• Effective implementation of EBP requires a supportive organizational environment.