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Evidence‐based practice and research utilisation: Perceived research knowledge, attitudes, practices and barriers among Australian paediatric occupational therapists
Author(s) -
Lyons Carissa,
Brown Ted,
Tseng Mei Hui,
Casey Jacqueline,
McDonald Rachael
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
australian occupational therapy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.595
H-Index - 44
eISSN - 1440-1630
pISSN - 0045-0766
DOI - 10.1111/j.1440-1630.2010.00900.x
Subject(s) - occupational therapy , best practice , evidence based practice , scale (ratio) , medicine , presentation (obstetrics) , medical education , nursing , psychology , family medicine , alternative medicine , psychiatry , physics , management , pathology , quantum mechanics , economics , radiology
Background/aim: Evidence‐based practice (EBP) and research utilisation (RU) are promoted as ways for clients to receive the best level of care. However, limited research has evaluated the use of these approaches by occupational therapists. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, practices of and barriers to EBP and RU of a group of paediatric occupational therapists from Australia. Methods: Questionnaires were received from 138 participants (response rate 46%) who completed the Research Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Research Survey, the Edmonton Research Orientation Survey and the Barriers to Research Utilisation Scale. Results: The participants held positive attitudes towards research, and were willing to access new information to guide practice approaches. However, participants were less confident in their research knowledge and practices and implemented research findings into clinical practice. Multiple barriers to RU were perceived, particularly associated with the presentation and accessibility of research. Participants reported limited engagement in conducting research studies, although the majority of the participants reported implementing the findings of research into their clinical practice to some extent. Conclusion: Additional research education and support within organisations would be beneficial to ensure that children and families are receiving occupational therapy services that are based on sound, high‐quality research evidence. The findings of this study provide insight into the perceived research knowledge, attitudes, practices of and barriers to Australian paediatric occupational therapists, enabling specific strategies to be implemented to increase the use of EBP and RU within the profession.