Alberta Occupational Therapists' Perspectives on and Participation in Research

Abstract

To determine the current level of research participation of Alberta occupational therapists, the Edmonton Research Orientation (ERO) survey, with an additional section measuring perceptions of barriers to research, was mailed to 610 Alberta occupational therapists. From an initial response rate of 52%, there were 293 useable responses. Seventy percent of therapists reported no participation in research. There was an association between level of education and greater participation in research but participation in research was not limited to those with advanced degrees. Therapists who were actually participating in research had higher ERO scores. There were no differences between therapists at different levels of research participation in their perceptions of barriers to research. Limited time, limited research resources, concerns about the usefulness of research, and questions as to whether all therapists need to be involved in research were some of the issues raised by respondents. The results are compared to a similar study of Alberta speech-language pathologists. Recommendations for facilitating clinical research are included. RÉSUMÉ Dans le but de déterminer le degré de participation à la recherche des ergothérapeutes de l'Alberta, le Edmonton Research Orientation (ERO) survey a été distribué à 610 ergothérapeutes albertains, accompagné d'une section additionnelle visant à déter-miner les facteurs qui font obstacle à la recherche selon les ergothérapeutes. Suite à un pourcentage de réponses de 52%, 293 questionnaires ont été retenus. 70 % des thérapeutes rapportent qu'ils ne participent pas à la recherche. On observe un lien entre le niveau d'éducation et le degré de participation à la recherche, mais cette participation ne se limite pas aux ergothérapeutes possédant des diplômes d'études supérieures.Les thérapeutes qui participent actuellement à la recherche ont obtenu des scores plus élevés au ERO. On n'a observé aucune différence dans l'identification des facteurs faisant obstacle à la recherche parmi les ergothérapeutes interrogés, même si leur degré de participation à la recherche était différent. Parmi les facteurs faisant obstacle à la recherche, les ergothérapeutes ont mentionné la restriction des ressources, le manque de temps, le questionnement sur l'utilité de la recherche et sur la pertinence de la participation de tous les ergothérapeutes à la recherche. Les résultats du sondage ont ensuite été comparés à une étude semblable effectuée auprès des orthophonistes de l'Alberta. L'article présente également des recommandations dans le but de promouvoir la recherche clinique.

Occupational Therapy Research Priorities in Mental Health

“…The sample did, however report a higher level of recent research activity than other studies have found when investigating research involvement (e.g. Waine, Magill-Evans & Pain, 1997;Cusick , Franklin & Rotem, 1999), where only a third to a quarter of therapists identify research activity. In this study half the participants identified recent research activity in rounds one and two, while just over a third did so on round three-this is higher than would be normally expected.…”

“…Occupational therapists therefore have a key role in identifying what research is needed to help them justify clinical performance and provide high quality service to clients. One way to share views about what is needed in research, is for occupational therapists themselves to generate research topics (Waine, Magill-Evans & Pain, 1997). This study uses a delphi survey technique to first elicit the views of occupational therapists working in mental health regarding research topics they think are important; and second, to identify those research topics which occupational therapists consider are priorities.…”

Clinical outcomes research from the occupational therapist's perspective

“…Considering the complex nature of the healthcare system and the multiple influences affecting occupational therapists' daily practices, various reasons may help to explain their lack of involvement in clinically based research. There is a complex interplay of personal characteristics, professional 'culture' and system barriers that influence whether or not occupational therapists take up the challenge of rigorously examining their clinical interventions (Hathaway, 1974;Hunter, 1976;Taylor and Mitchell, 1990;Waine et al, 1997;Cusick et al, 1999;Dubouloz et al, 1999;Cusick and McCluskey, 2000;Cusick, 2001). A number of factors have been identified which may contribute to clinicians' low participation rates in outcomes research.…”

“…In North America some attention has been given to clinicians' views and participation in research (Taylor and Mitchell, 1990;Waine et al, 1997). Clinicians in these studies acknowledged the importance of research for client care, but they reported minimal involvement or dissatisfaction with their level of participation in research activity.…”

Research utilization models: frameworks for implementing evidence‐based occupational therapy practice

“…An important reason for using research in clinical practice is that it provides professional benefits (Waine et al, 1997). Research advances the profession, improves client care and enhances clinicians' professional image (Hayes, 1997;Funk et al, 1991).…”