PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH FOR OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY–GREECE

Background: Although the need for Evidence Based Practice (EBP) in Occupational Therapy is an accepted initiative, very often lack of access in published research and insecurity about research skills limits the engagement of... [ view full abstract ]

Background:
Although the need for Evidence Based Practice (EBP) in Occupational Therapy is an accepted initiative, very often lack of access in published research and insecurity about research skills limits the engagement of Occupational Therapists (OTs) in research studies. In addition, the accommodation of the evidence produced from research into practice is slow. In Greece although younger OTs have an adequate knowledge of research methods their involvement in research is limited.
Method:
The division of Occupational Therapy of Metropolitan College in Greece that was established in 2013 has 13 OTs involved academically and collaborates with 30 clinical sites and 40 Occupational Therapists. Following the frameworks Scholarship in Practice and Participatory Action Research the academics of the Metropolitan College and the practicing OTs are engaged in the joint process of participatory visioning of research that has immediate application in the clinical practice. As a first stage a questionnaire was used in order to measure attitudes towards research and EBP.
Results:
The first results of this collaboration produced data for the attitudes of Greek OTs towards to research and gave the opportunity for the collaboration of practicing OTs and OTs in academic institutions for EBP.
Conclusion:
The procedure of this collaboration, the perceptions and the challenges for OT research in Greece are discussed.
Application to Practice:
The principal aim of “Participatory Research for Occupational Therapy–Greece” is to generate more research and EBP in Greece and the creation of stronger links between clinicians, academics and researchers in field of Occupational Therapy.