How to Actually Put Research into Practice
Gather your questions
When working in the clinic as an OT, I have a notepad and sticky note taped to my computer and write questions as they come up.
Often if I do not do that I will completely forget about them by the end of the day so doing it in real-time right after a session is really helpful for me.
Search keywords in multiple databases
When I search for items in Google, I often pull out the keywords of something that I am looking for versus typing in the entire question, (e.g. pediatrics AND sensory processing AND intervention VS “What is the best intervention for sensory processing?”).
This is how I can speak the language of the search engine and databases. Some search engines no longer require the AND/OR but I still use them just in case.
Find relevant articles that are legit
This part is where many OTs that I have heard from get stuck. Not only accessing the articles but finding if they are legit or not can be overwhelming. Here are a few tools that I use to help this.
Finding Articles
Local Library
Supporting Fieldwork Students
Making Sure Articles are Legit
Check out this graphic below
Imagine doing the intervention with your client
After I find a good article with solid results, I go directly to the methods section where they describe the intervention. Then I imagine what that would look like in my setting. This is where our OT viewpoint can shine because we are good at adapting things to fit the context. Just make sure that if there is a protocol you stick to it as best as possible because that can lead to not getting the same results as the article. Authors are always super excited to chat too if you have questions on what is a reasonable deviation from their intervention.
I also take a second to think about any barriers that might be present if I try to use this information. Is there a cost associated with this that I need support with? Do I have the appropriate training? Do I know what to do based on what the article says?
Track how it is going
I then try to find an assessment (maybe the same one the study uses) that can measure the change that I am trying to make. For example, when I’m looking at strategy training for an adolescent working on executive functioning skills, I may want to use the Goal Attainment Scale along with the GOAL to combine both information from the client and observable changes.
If no meaningful changes are made, start over again
Often I try something and it does not work. That does not mean I am a bad OT, but that I need to go back to the drawing board and am that much closer to finding something that works for the client. There are new research studies coming out every day and the answer could be right around the corner.
Are you interested in:
Getting confident with evidence-based practice
Learning how to apply interventions with other OTs
Accessing a library of research infographics?