Three educational approaches to enhance the evidence-based practice behaviour of Irish occupational therapists

Abstract

Occupational therapists worldwide are urged by their professional bodies and health delivery organisations to demonstrate evidence-based practice (EBP) by drawing upon all components of the best practice evidence triad: therapist’s clinical expertise, current research, and the client’s preferences. Many studies report that most practitioners have positive attitudes about evidence-based occupational therapy practice. Nonetheless, in their clinical decision making, most rely on their clinical expertise and the advice of colleagues without also integrating current research evidence. This apparent disconnect between attitudes and actual behaviour can be addressed through a range of continuing education models. This paper describes a three-pronged Irish approach aimed at both individual therapists and entire teams: (1) one day workshops introducing the knowledge and skills underpinning EBP; (2) a multidisciplinary university module teaching research utilisation skills and the implementation of change and leadership theories; and (3) a service development project fostering an evidence-based work culture through team learning.