2023 Volume 19 Issue 1 Pages 1-7
In recent years, the concepts of value-based practice (VBP) and shared decision-making (SDM) have become popular as methods of clinical decision-making and consensus-building. Moreover, the underlying decision-making is commonly known as evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP is the necessary knowledge and skills for clinical practice of occupational therapy, but at the same time, the difficulties of EBP have been reported.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the structure of EBP-promoting factors, including clinical, educational, and research experiences, among occupational therapists.
Methods: A questionnaire survey using a postal method was conducted among 30 occupational therapists working in Japanese convalescent rehabilitation wards.
Results: Factors associated with the implementation of EBP and self-efficacy regarding EBP included the following: (1) experience of learning in graduate school, (2) experience of receiving education on research methods, (3) positive experience with research, (4) experience of working in professional teams, (5) experience as a clinical practice supervisor for students, (6) frequency of database use, (7) outcome expectancy, (8) work environment, (9) intrinsic motivation, and (10) barriers. The number of years of clinical experience of occupational therapists was not associated with the implementation of EBP and self-efficacy regarding EBP.
Conclusions: Research experience, working in professional teams, and being clinical practice supervisors for students and others were more important factors than years of clinical experience to promote the implementation of EBP and self-efficacy regarding EBP among occupational therapists. The structures of these factors interacted with each other.
