Evidence Based Practice in Occupational Therapy: Embracing Excellence

Mandy Chamberlain MOTR/L

What is evidence based practice in occupational therapy (OT) and why is it important? How can we integrate it into our practice to stay up to date and current when working as an OT with older adults?

In this blog post, we will explore three reasons why evidence-based practice is important. By integrating critically appraised research results with their clinical expertise and their clients’ preferences, beliefs, and values, occupational therapists can ensure that their interventions are effective, efficient, and meaningful.

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What is evidence-based practice in occupational therapy?

Evidence-based practice (EBP) in occupational therapy involves the integration of the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values and preferences in the delivery of occupational therapy services. It is a process of using current best evidence from research in combination with the occupational therapist’s clinical expertise and the patient’s unique values and circumstances to inform clinical decision-making and practice.

EBP in occupational therapy is essential because it helps to ensure that patients receive effective, efficient, and individualized care. By using the best available evidence from research, occupational therapists can make informed decisions about the most appropriate interventions and treatments for their patients, leading to better outcomes and improved quality of life.

Evidence-based practice is crucial in occupational therapy because it helps practitioners provide the highest quality care to their clients. However, it is important to understand what evidence-based practice actually is and why it is so crucial.

What are the 3 components of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy?

Evidence-based practice is the integration of critically appraised research results, clinical expertise, and client preferences, beliefs, and values. It is not just about journal articles and research, but also the clinician’s experience and the client’s needs.

1 Best available research evidence:

This component involves the use of the best and most up-to-date research evidence to inform clinical decision-making. Occupational therapists must be able to access and critically appraise the research literature to determine which studies are most relevant to their clinical practice. This pillar emphasizes the importance of using empirical evidence to guide practice.

2 Clinical expertise:

This component involves the use of the occupational therapist’s clinical expertise, which includes their knowledge, skills, and experience, to make decisions about the most appropriate interventions for their clients. Occupational therapists must use their clinical reasoning skills to integrate the best available research evidence with their own clinical expertise and the unique needs and preferences of their clients.

3 Client values and preferences:

This component emphasizes the importance of incorporating the values, preferences, and expectations of the client into the clinical decision-making process. Occupational therapists must work collaboratively with their clients to identify their goals, priorities, and preferences, and to develop an intervention plan that is tailored to their unique needs and circumstances.

Taken together, the three components of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy provide a framework for making informed clinical decisions that are based on the best available research evidence, the occupational therapist’s clinical expertise, and the unique needs and preferences of the client.

Benefits of evidence based practice in occupational therapy

Evidence-based practice is the key to providing the most effective care and ensuring your clients receive the best possible outcomes and as occupational therapy practitioners, your commitment to excellence drives every aspect of your work. EBP involves using the most current research and data to inform your decisions and interventions.

Some of these include:

1.Increased Chances of Achieving Goals

By basing interventions on well-supported evidence, OTs can increase the likelihood of achieving desired outcomes for their clients. EBP allows practitioners to guide interventions that have been proven effective, as well as taking into consideration the patient’s values in maximizing the potential for successful treatment.

2. Choosing Interventions Based on Evidence

Evidence-based practice offers a structured approach to decision-making, minimizing the need for guessing. For example, when determining the best approach for fall prevention, occupational therapists can utilize evidence-based guidelines to assess a client’s home environment. By incorporating data on effective modifications—such as installing grab bars or improving lighting—therapists can tailor their recommendations to the specific layout and needs of the client’s living space. This strategy not only enhances the safety of the home, but also empowers the client to maintain their independence.

3. Always Learning

Continuous professional development is crucial for occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) to remain up-to-date with research and intervention methods. The OT Accelerator provides OTPs with the opportunity to stay confidently current by granting access to researched resources and research-backed strategies. This platform not only enhances clinical credibility, but also offers a structured avenue for OTPs to connect with ongoing clinical support, evidence-based interventions, assessments, and resources. By utilizing this platform, practitioners can turn professional growth into a tangible advantage for themselves and their clients.

4. Client Centered Care

The use of evidence based practice in occupational therapy emphasizes a heightened emphasis on understanding the individual client’s values, preferences, and objectives. For instance, when helping a client perform occupations with chronic pain, occupational therapists can draw on evidence-based protocols to create a personalized pain management plan. By reviewing studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of techniques such as mindfulness or graded activity, therapists can integrate these strategies into the client’s daily routine. This individualized approach not only addresses the client’s specific pain management needs but also promotes greater engagement in activities they enjoy.

By integrating evidence-based practice into your approach, you can enhance your confidence in delivering interventions that are rooted in the most up-to-date evidence and customized to meet the distinct requirements of each client.

What are the 5 stages of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy?

Asking a clinical question: The first stage involves identifying a clinical question or problem that needs to be addressed. This could involve a specific patient case, a broader clinical issue, or a research question that needs to be answered.
Searching for evidence: Once the clinical question has been identified, the next step is to search for relevant evidence that can help to answer the question. This may involve searching databases of published research articles, consulting with colleagues or experts in the field, or reviewing other sources of information.
Appraising the evidence: Once relevant evidence has been identified, the next step is to critically evaluate its quality and relevance to the clinical question at hand. This involves assessing factors such as study design, sample size, validity and reliability of measurement tools, and potential biases.
Applying evidence based practice in occupational therapy: Based on the appraisal of the evidence, the next step is to determine how the evidence should be applied to the specific clinical question or problem. This may involve adapting existing interventions, developing new interventions, or modifying existing approaches based on the available evidence.
Evaluating the outcomes: The final stage of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy involves evaluating the outcomes of the interventions or approaches that were implemented based on the available evidence. This may involve tracking patient progress, assessing changes in clinical outcomes or quality of life measures, or conducting further research to refine and improve the evidence-based approach.

What some examples of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy?

Evidence based practice in occupational therapy plays a vital role in the rehabilitation process.

2 examples of utilizing EBP in practice include:

When using evidence based practice in occupational therapy, an example would be when working with a patient who has had a stroke. OTPs can help them regain essential skills and independence. One such supported approach is task-oriented training. This focuses on repetitive practice of meaningful, everyday activities like dressing, eating, and walking. Research shows that task-oriented training can improve motor control and functional performance, as it encourages the brain to reorganize and strengthen neural pathways associated with specific movements.

By customizing these exercises to each patient’s needs and interests, occupational therapists help stroke survivors rebuild skills that directly impact their quality of life, making recovery a more motivating and effective experience.

Another example of utilizing EBP with patients is working with someone who has experienced a fall and wish to continue living independently at home. Evidence-based occupational therapy practices focus on improving safety and fall prevention. This may include balance training, strength-building exercises, and home modifications, all of which have been shown to reduce the risk of subsequent falls.

Occupational therapy practitioners might recommend grab bars, improved lighting, or rearrangement of furniture to ensure a safer environment. Studies highlight that these interventions not only increase physical stability but also reduce patients’ fear of falling, empowering them to engage confidently in daily activities. Through these research-backed practices, occupational therapists make it possible for older adults to age in place safely and with greater confidence.

While the integration of evidence based practice in occupational therapy presents numerous challenges, including time constraints, limited access to research, and the need for ongoing education, the benefits it brings to both therapists and clients are substantial. Embracing a model that prioritizes scientific evidence not only enhances the effectiveness of interventions but also fosters a more collaborative and informed therapeutic relationship. By navigating these obstacles, occupational therapists can significantly improve client outcomes and contribute to the advancement of the profession.

The pursuit of evidence based practice in occupational therapy ultimately raises up the profession, ensuring that clients receive the highest standard of care tailored to their unique needs.

2 thoughts on “Evidence Based Practice in Occupational Therapy: Embracing Excellence”

Monika Lukasiewicz Monika Lukasiewicz
October 31, 2024 at 11:32 pm

Love this article. Couldn’t agree more. Two particular evidence-based trainings saved my practice/kept me in occupational therapy after the pandemic and they were: Skills2care thru the Dementia Collaborative and the COPE Program [Care of Older People in their Environment] thru Drexel University. I appreciate what you and OT Potential are doing to bring evidence to PRACTICE. Keep it up and THANK YOU!

Reply
1. Mandy Chamberlain MOTR/L
  November 6, 2024 at 9:47 am
  
  Yes Monika! I think it is key to find your purpose and what fills your soul. It definitely helps with burnout. thank you 🙂
  
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