Sources of information used by paediatric occupational therapists in Chile to make clinical decisions

Abstract

IntroductionEvidence-based practice (EBP) is a global movement that fosters the use of research evidence, clinical expertise, the patient's values and circumstances, and information from the practice context. It aims to support high quality practice through providing and using sound evidence for decision making, thereby enhancing the client's outcomes. Occupational therapists have been challenged to advance the profession and adopt EBP as a global approach. Although EBP has been increasingly promoted and applied in occupational therapy over the last twenty years, there is a scarcity of research conducted in developing countries, and evidence-based occupational therapy is not yet a worldwide reality. Chile, a developing country graduating an increasing number of occupational therapists, provides a useful case for exploring EBP. The aim of this study was to investigate which sources of information are accessed by occupational therapists in Chile, and how knowledge is built and integrated in paediatric practice. MethodsInterpretive description served as the methodological framework for this study. Ten Chilean occupational therapists, who had diverse demographic profiles and worked in a variety of paediatric settings, were recruited. Participants completed in-depth interviews regarding their decision-making in daily practice. Interviews were conducted in Spanish, transcribed verbatim in Spanish, and then translated into English. Data were rigorously coded and analyzed thematically. To enhance credibility of the data analysis, preliminary conceptualizations and interpretations were returned to the participants for their critical DiscussionScarce access to research knowledge, precarious development of a research culture and lack of connection with the global scientific community can lead occupational therapists to rely on information that has not undergone quality evaluation. In Chile, the absence of regulatory bodies represent an additional risk to the profession , as there are no formal procedures to oversee the quality of professional practice, the standards of continuing professional development nor educational programs. Practitioners may benefit from developing a clinical reasoning framework based on evidence to guide their decision-making, in order to improve quality of practice and client outcomes. The establishment of a clinical reasoning framework based on evidence might be particularly relevant at this time, due to the increasing number of educational programs offering occupational therapy training in Chile.