Definition and Steps of the EBP process
Occupational therapists must understand and apply the concepts of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) to clinical practice.
EBP "is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.” (Sackett DL, Straus SE, Richardson WS, et al. Evidence-based medicine: how to practice and teach EBM. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.)
The process of applying EBP is divided into 5 steps:
- ASK. Create a focused, searchable clinical question.
- ACQUIRE or ACCESS. Search for the information.
- APPRAISE your results critically.
- APPLY results to your patient.
- ASSESS. Evaluate the effects of Step 4, reformulate and repeat process if necessary. Also look at your process and correct/improve as necessary.
Cilck on the link for more information on Step 1: Asking a searchable question.
For more information on the EBP process please see: Bennett, S., & Bennett, J. W. (2000). The process of evidence‐based practice in occupational therapy: Informing clinical decisions. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, 47(4), 171-180.
EBP Tutorials
- Introduction to Evidence-Based PracticeIn-depth tutorial to EBP from Duke University and University of North Carolina.
- OT Seeker Evidence-Based Practice ResourcesThis page offers freely accessible resources, power-point presentations and links to evidence-based practice resources.
- Database Searching for Evidence-based Practice - Self-paced tutorialThis tutorial was created for the USC Spine Physical Therapy Fellowship Program, however will be useful to anyone interested in learning how to search for evidence-based practice research. The tutorial provides instruction on how to search for evidence-based literature to answer foreground clinical questions in multiple databases. The course consists of short demonstration videos and practice exercises.