PROMOTING EBP SKILL DEVELOPMENT, INTEGRATION AND APPLICATION AMONGST OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY STUDENTS: A COLLABORATIVE EDUCATION APPROACH

Background: Despite efforts to introduce the concepts of evidence-based practice to allied health students during their entry-level education, empirical findings indicate there appears to be little carry over and application... [ view full abstract ]

Background: Despite efforts to introduce the concepts of evidence-based practice to allied health students during their entry-level education, empirical findings indicate there appears to be little carry over and application once they start practicing. For the past four years, at Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, EBP skills have been taught to undergraduate students using a collaborative approach between an occupational therapy educator, health science librarian, and campus learning skills advisor.

Objectives: to introduce audience participants to the EBP education protocol developed by Monash University staff.

Method: Employing an incremental, explicit approach to data location followed by a critique of evidence using a step-by-step process, students gain hands-on practical skills, knowledge and confidence about the application of the EBP process. The Research Skills Development (RSD) framework (Willison, 2013) and an in-house developed critique proforma, the Monash Occupational Therapy Research Evidence Critique Form (MOTRECF; Brown & Lentin, 2013), are used as tools to inform and facilitate the EBP education process.

Findings: Anecdotal evidence to date has indicated that the combination of the skills and expertise of the allied health educator, health science librarian, and campus learning skills advisor provides a rich learning environment for students where the skills they learn are retained and later applied in professional practice. This leads to increased confidence when critiquing both quantitative and qualitative research evidence.

Conclusion & Implications: This EBP education approach could easily be adapted for application with already qualified allied health professionals in health care environments.