Occupational Therapists' Views and Perceptions of Evidence-Based Practice

Abstract

In spite of the developments within health and social care, little research has been published that specifically identifies the views and perceptions that occupational therapists working in England have of evidence-based practice (EBP). This study used qualitative and quantitative methodologies in two distinct phases. Initially, focus groups were used to explore the views and perceptions that senior occupational therapists working in different settings had of EBP. In the second phase, the findings from the focus groups, alongside the results from a study conducted by Wiles and Barnard (1998), were used to design a questionnaire to canvass the views and perceptions of a larger number of occupational therapists within the South and West Region of England. Of 653 questionnaires distributed, 500 (76.5%) were returned and analysed. The findings indicated that the respondents were positive about EBP. The lack of time and the high staff turnover and staff shortages were seen as major barriers to the implementation of EBP. Support from managers and colleagues, along with personal motivation and access to resources, enabled the implementation of EBP. Many respondents felt that they required more training about EBP. This research indicates that practical initiatives assisting the implementation of EBP are likely to be met with enthusiasm by occupational therapists.

Actual vs. best practices for young children with cerebral palsy: A survey of paediatric occupational therapists and physical therapists in Quebec, Canada

“…OTs' and PTs' perceptions of barriers to desired use of interventions were consistent with the literature [12,48] in which participants perceived 'lack of time' as one of the main barriers. However, 'it requires special training' was of the most frequent barrier ranked as number one for OTs and PTs, again reflecting their need for more training and continuing education on specific practices for CP.…”

“…However, 'it requires special training' was of the most frequent barrier ranked as number one for OTs and PTs, again reflecting their need for more training and continuing education on specific practices for CP. Surprisingly, more than one third of OTs and PTs perceived child and parent compliance as a barrier to desired use: a finding not reported previously in the literature [12,[48][49][50]. This is notable given that clinical decision-making is typically described as taking into account not only the current best evidence, but the needs of the client and family and the demands and resources of the health system [13,14].…”

“…Previous literature [12,48] have shown that clinicians view research as difficult to understand and integrate into their clinical practice. Indeed, new knowledge is not automatically incorporated, creating a gap between knowledge production and knowledge utilization [51][52][53][54].…”

“…With so many assessment and treatment options available, it is sometimes difficult for clinicians to know which are the most appropriate. Indeed, clinicians are increasingly challenged to justify their interventions [12] and to base their daily practice on evidence-based practice (EBP) which refers to the clinical decisionmaking process of weighing the available evidence for an intervention and integrating it with clinical experience, the needs of the patient and the demands and the resources of the health system [13,14].…”

Creation and pilot testing of StrokEngine: A stroke rehabilitation intervention website for clinicians and families

“…Pringle (9) (10) found that of 321 PTs surveyed in England and Australia, only 3% indicated that research articles led them to their current interventions. When 500 English OTs were asked to identify enablers of EBP, factors such as access to relevant resources, time to read and to find the evidence and to implement the evidence into practice, were identified (11). Though journals are of interest to clinicians, they do not offer a readily available consolidated source of information about specific treatment interventions.…”