Pam Stephenson, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA
Associate Professor
Mary Baldwin University
Staunton, VA
Carey Minard, OTD, OTR/L
Clinical Assistant Professor
Walsh University
North Canton, OH
Michelle Suarez, PhD, OTR/L
Associate Professor
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo, MI
Melisa Kaye, EdD, OTR/L
Assistant Professor
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA
Earn .1 AOTA CEU (1.25 NBCOT PDU/1 contact hour)
Abstract
The occupational therapy evidence base for children and youth has grown exponentially over the last decade, and practitioners now have increased opportunities to access it from a number of sources. Despite increased availability, evidence is not always routinely incorporated into practice for a variety of reasons including time, skills, and support. This leads to a gap between the published evidence and clinical practice. Being able to appraise evidence and apply it to practice is part of a consistent and coherent knowledge translation approach that proactively bridges that gap. Professional reasoning is a crucial part of this process.
This article will explore the concepts related to evidence-based practice and identify strategies for enhancing the translation of evidence into everyday practice in children and youth contexts.
Learning Objectives
1. Examine strategies to increase knowledge translation skills
2. Describe the limitations of the traditional evidence hierarchy in relation to occupational therapy practice
3. Discuss evidence-informed decision-making strategies used in pediatric practice
4. Identify the role of data-based decision making in knowledge translation.
Learning Level: Intermediate
Target Audience: Occupational Therapy Practitioners and Occupational Therapy Assistants
Content Focus: Category 1: Occupational Therapy Process; Evaluation and Intervention; Professional Issues: Evidence Informed Practice
Reference Information:
Stephenson, Pam, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Minard, Carey, OTD, OTR/L; Suarez, Michelle, PhD, OTR/L; Kaye, Melisa, EdD, OTR/L
(CEA September, 2021) Adopting an Evidence-Informed Approach for Children and Youth Practice