College of Occupational Therapy
Annual Conference 2017
An exploration of the attitudes, knowledge and ability of
Occupational Therapists in applying evidence to practice
Samantha Turner
Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
University of Plymouth
@mampy1985
#COT2017
Plan for session

Provide a brief overview of the article

Identify the main findings

Engage in a critical discussion related to the article

Discuss the recommendations

Identify key learning points to take home
Occupational therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and implementation of evidence-based
practice: A systematic review of published research (Upton et al., 2014)
Overview
Aim- to synthesise the findings from research related to the attitudes,
utilisation, knowledge and understanding of evidence-based practice
(EBP)
 Systematic review using a narrative analysis approach
 Published research between 2000-2012 within peer reviewed journals
 32 papers were selected - 23 quantitative, 8 qualitative and 1 mixed
methods design
 McMaster critical appraisal tool (Law et al., 1998)
 PRISMA flow chart
Occupational therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and implementation of evidence-based
practice: A systematic review of published research (Upton et al., 2014)
Findings
Attitudes/Values
Research
Education
Implementation
• Disparityattitudes and
behaviour
• Enhances
credibility
• Too much effort
• Difficult
transition
• Ensuring up to
date
knowledge
• Time constraints
• Inapplicable to
practice
• Positive in
demonstrating
effectiveness
• Informing
knowledge
gaps
• Client
centeredness &
EBP
• Limited
searching &
appraisal skills
• Higher
educational
attainment =
positive attitude
• PG study
• Academic
hospital
• Recent
graduates
• Consistent
results in lack of
utilisation
• Relying on
colleagues
• ? Difference
between OT &
other AHP’s
• Organisational
factors
• Years of
practice
Perceived limits and barriers

Workload/time Pressures

Insufficient staff/resources/finances

Lack of training/knowledge

Lack of organisational support/culture

Relevance/applicability/availability and quality of
evidence

Conflict with client centred practice
Critical analysis

Is this really a review of EBP in its entirety? (Strauss et al., 2011)

Narrative literature reviews are at risk of confirmation bias

Potential publication bias due to only using peer reviewed
articles

Most of the reviewed research used convenience sampling
? Limited representativeness and generalisability
Occupational therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and implementation of evidence-based
practice: A systematic review of published research (Upton et al., 2014)
Recommendations

Dedicated staff members

Journal clubs

Mentoring

Training and education initiatives

Development of future generation

Research collaboration
Occupational therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and implementation of evidence-based
practice: A systematic review of published research (Upton et al., 2014)
Discussion





Has this article supported your thinking related to the use of EBP or has
it challenged it?
Have you got any further comments in relation to the critique of this
review?
How has this article encouraged your thinking about EBP?
Do any of the findings relate to your area of practice?
What ideas could you take from this article to improve EBP in your
clinical setting?
Occupational therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and implementation of evidence-based
practice: A systematic review of published research (Upton et al., 2014)
Concluding thoughts…

There is a disparity within our profession related to EBP

While there are a range of barriers there are also a range of
opportunities – consider these in your own practice

Could a few minor changes lead to more effective
implementation of EBP to benefit the client and our profession?
Occupational therapists’ attitudes, knowledge, and implementation of evidence-based
practice: A systematic review of published research (Upton et al., 2014)
Contact details
Email:
Address:
Tel:
[email protected]
Plymouth University
School of Health Professions
Faculty of Health and Human Sciences
Peninsula Allied Health Centre
Room SF24
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL68BH
01752586737
Twitter: @mampy1985
Reference list

Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) (2013) Systematic Review Checklist. Oxford: CASP. Available
at: http://www.casp-uk.net

Greenhalgh, T. (2015) Real vs Rubbish EBM. Available at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYvdhA697jI

Law, M., Stewart, D., Pollock, N., Letts, L., Bosch, J. & Westmorland, M. (1998) Guidelines for Critical
Review Form: Quantitative Studies. Available at: http://www.srsmcmaster.ca/Portals/20/pdf/ebp/quanguidelines.pdf

Strauss, S.E., Richardson, W.S., Glaszious, P. & Haynes, R.B. (2011) Evidence-based medicine: how to
practice and teach EBM (4th ed). Edinburgh, Scotland: Churchill Livingstone.

Upton, D., Stephens, D., Williams, B. and Scurlock-Evans, L. (2014) ‘Occupational therapists’ attitudes,
knowledge, and implementation of evidence-based practice: A systematic review of published
research’, British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 77(1), pp. 24–38. Doi:
10.4276/030802214X13887685335544