Evidence Based Practice

Occupational Therapy programs and organizations around the world are advocating and promoting Evidence Based Practice.

Evidence Based Practice includes:

1. Determining the exact question(s) you feel need(s) to be answered relating to the practice of OT.
2. Doing a thorough literature search to identify any and all evidence (research) pertaining to that topic.
3. Using professional reasoning to determine if evidence is
         -  pertinent,
         -  valid, and
         -  clinically significant.
   
4. Determining how/if the information can apply to the current situation.

It is further defined by Egan et al (1998) as "Intervention guided by the results of the most scientifically sound research relevant to that intervention.".

Holm (2000) states that "...unless we use the evidence and use it appropriately..." we are not evidence-based practitioners.

"Best practice in occupational therapy occurs when therapists, working in partnership with client(s), use research evidence along with clinical knowledge and reasoning to implement interventions that are effective," says The McMaster Occupational Therapy Evidence-based Practice group.

Note: This EBP effort was initiated by Dr. Ann Nolen,
TOTA Executive Board Member and
Chair of the Dept. of Occupational Therapy at the
University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Memphis.

Online Resources

• EBP Resource List - American Occupational Therapy Foundation
• OTSeeker - Systematic Evaluation of Evidence
• Users' Guides to Evidence-Based Practice - Journal of the American Medical Assn.
• National Guideline Clearinghouse - U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
• University of Tennessee Health Science Center - Memphis - Occupational Therapy Information Page - Evidence-Based Practice