Evidence Based Practice

Role Description:

The research in this area is concerned with the development of systems to provide support for evidence-based practice in occupational therapy and allied health in general, strategies for research translation, and providing methodological support for systematic reviews.

Group Leader:

Sally Bennett

Team Members:

Academic Staff: 

Dr Tammy Hoffmann
Dr Sally Bennett
Dr Merrill Turpin
Dr Jodie Copley
Dr Jenny Flemming

Collaborators:

Dr Leigh Tooth: School of Population Health, University of Queensland
Dr Annie McCluskey: University of Sydney
PEDro team: The George Institute, Sydney
PsycBITE team: The University of Sydney
speechBITE team: The University of Sydney

RHD Candidate:

Sue Doyle

Major Research Projects:

1.  OTseeker database:  www.otseeker.com - (Occupational Therapy Systematic Evaluation of Evidence) is a bibliographic database of systematic reviews and critically appraised randomised controlled trials relevant to occupational therapy. The website contains resources for injury management and general resources about evidence-based practice.

2.  Evaluation of methods for implementing evidence-based practice - This group has undertaken research about implementing EBP developed associated resources to support allied health professionals to implement EBP.

3.  Characterising the topics and nature of randomised controlled trials in occupational therapy - A series of studies have anlaysed the content of randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews relevant to occupational therapy. This group is also interested in the nature and difficulties of randomised controlled trials in rehabilitation research.

4.  Clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice - Topics addressed by research from this group include use of clinical reasoning to integrate evidence in stroke, paediatrics, and occupational therapy.

5.  Teaching evidence-based practice across allied health - A new textbook called Evidence-Based Practice Across the Health Professions edited by Dr Tammy Hoffmann, Dr Sally Bennett and Prof Chris del Mar is being published by Elsevier. In addition research about teaching EBP has been undertaken by this group.

In addition this research team provides support for undertaking systematic reviews as well as considering methodological aspects of systematic reviews in occupational therapy.

Systematic review topics currently underway or concluded include:

  • Education for management of cancer related fatigue
  • Cognitive rehabilitation post stroke
  • Interventions for sensory impairment post stroke
  • Static positioning of the shoulder post stroke
  • Occupational therapy for people with dementia in the community
  • Environmental correlates of children’s use of active transport

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