Development and Implementation of an Evidenced-Based Practice (EBP) Educational Program for a Multidisciplinary...

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Evidence-based practice

Background:

• A significant gap exists between academic knowledge and clinical application of evidence-based practice (EBP).
• This knowledge-to-practice gap hinders the routine implementation of EBP in clinical settings.
• Addressing this gap is crucial for advancing healthcare quality and patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development and implementation of an EBP training program.
• To target occupational and physical therapists within a pediatric hospital setting.
• To evaluate the program's impact on therapists' EBP competencies.

Main Methods:

• An academic-clinical partnership was formed to create the EBP training program.
• The program was implemented in a large pediatric hospital.
• Therapists' EBP skills, knowledge, and confidence were assessed post-training.

Main Results:

• Sixty-one therapists successfully completed the EBP training program.
• Participants showed significant improvements in EBP skills, knowledge, and confidence.
• A positive trend was observed in clinical outcomes and decision-making scores.

Conclusions:

• Academic-clinical partnerships are vital for enhancing professional EBP knowledge and skills.
• Strong stakeholder support and engagement are key to successful program development and outcomes.
• The program serves as a valuable model for professional development in EBP.