Introduction to Evidence-Based Practice
For further reading by Sackett et al. (1996)[4] about what is and what isn't EBP click here! Be sure to hit the back button to return to this page.
Simply, EBP=
Best evidence + Clinical expertise (cumulative experience, clinical skills, education) + Client’s choice (lifestyle, values, experience).
Therefore, when using EBP the clinician wisely critiques articles related to their inquiry. Once a conclusion is made the clinician engages the client and family in a discussion about possible options for care. Together, in the client-centered relationship an informed decision is made as what path to take in the client's plan of care.
Why is EBP important?
The purpose or why of evidence-based practice is the rapid pace in which new healthcare information is being discovered on a daily basis. Keeping pace with this new information provides the opportunity for optimal outcomes. These outcomes include quality of life as revealed in a study conducted by Clark et al. (1997)[5]. Our clients are demanding best care and reimbursement sources are expecting efficient, effective use of healthcare dollars. Evidence-based practice assures our clients, referrers, and third party payers that our clinical practice is up to date and based on sound evidence.
Additionally, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (2008)[1] in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) states “occupational therapy practitioners apply theory, evidence, knowledge, and
skills regarding the therapeutic use of occupations to positively affect the client’s health, well-being, and life satisfaction” (p. 642). Over the past decade the profession has supported the need for evidence-based practice. Read [45] Holm's 2000 Eleanor Clark Slagle Lecture.
In summary, there are three prongs to the EBP process. Through literature reviews OTs assess and obtain external evidence that is synthesized with their clinical skills around the evidence and with the client’s expressed preferences and unique context of person, occupation, and environment.
Occupational Therapy Professional Documents Supporting EBP. The non-linked articles are available to AOTA members at www.aota.org
[6] AOTA's Occupational therapy code of ethics and ethics standard (2010)
[7] AOTA's Standards of practice for occupational therapy 2010
[1] AOTA fact sheet on accountable care organizations and medical homes (2012)
[8] AOTA's Fieldwork Level II and Occupational Therapy Students: A Position Paper (2012)
Key Steps to EBP Process
For further reading by Sackett et al. (1996)[4] about what is and what isn't EBP click here! Be sure to hit the back button to return to this page.
Simply, EBP=
Best evidence + Clinical expertise (cumulative experience, clinical skills, education) + Client’s choice (lifestyle, values, experience).
Therefore, when using EBP the clinician wisely critiques articles related to their inquiry. Once a conclusion is made the clinician engages the client and family in a discussion about possible options for care. Together, in the client-centered relationship an informed decision is made as what path to take in the client's plan of care.
Why is EBP important?
The purpose or why of evidence-based practice is the rapid pace in which new healthcare information is being discovered on a daily basis. Keeping pace with this new information provides the opportunity for optimal outcomes. These outcomes include quality of life as revealed in a study conducted by Clark et al. (1997)[5]. Our clients are demanding best care and reimbursement sources are expecting efficient, effective use of healthcare dollars. Evidence-based practice assures our clients, referrers, and third party payers that our clinical practice is up to date and based on sound evidence.
Additionally, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) (2008)[1] in the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF) states “occupational therapy practitioners apply theory, evidence, knowledge, and
skills regarding the therapeutic use of occupations to positively affect the client’s health, well-being, and life satisfaction” (p. 642). Over the past decade the profession has supported the need for evidence-based practice. Read [45] Holm's 2000 Eleanor Clark Slagle Lecture.
In summary, there are three prongs to the EBP process. Through literature reviews OTs assess and obtain external evidence that is synthesized with their clinical skills around the evidence and with the client’s expressed preferences and unique context of person, occupation, and environment.
Occupational Therapy Professional Documents Supporting EBP. The non-linked articles are available to AOTA members at www.aota.org
[6] AOTA's Occupational therapy code of ethics and ethics standard (2010)
[7] AOTA's Standards of practice for occupational therapy 2010
[1] AOTA fact sheet on accountable care organizations and medical homes (2012)
[8] AOTA's Fieldwork Level II and Occupational Therapy Students: A Position Paper (2012)
Key Steps to EBP Process