Objective : The purpose of the research is to investigate Korean occupational therapists'
awareness of Evidence-Based Practice(EBP), basis of clinical decision making, barrier factors
of EBP execution.
Methods : Form December 2009 to March 2010, 500 questionnaires were sent out to clinical occupational
therapists and 160 questionnaire which are returned by the therapists were analyzed
through descriptive statistics.
Results : There are more female respondents than male. More than 90% of them had less than
5 years experience. Most of respondents hadn't experienced education concerning EBP(76%),
and the education is not periodically conducted(55%). Moreover, treatment was being tailored
based on subjective judgement. On the other hand, the degree of recognition showed that the
professionalism of occupational therapists can be improved through EBP(96%), and be helpful
to make clinical decision(88%). Most of the therapists answered that guaranteeing enough
time to search the basis of treatment(90%) and participating in the education course(92%) is
needed to make EBP applicable. This result shows that while the application rate of EBP is
low, the recognition rate of EBP is high, which means it is necessary to revitalize EBP education
program.
Conclusions : In order to provide quality service, education course and instructor training
program is needed. We should also make a great effort to offer evidence-based education to
occupational therapy students. Furthermore, EBP has to be carried out to improve the professionalism
of occupational therapists, and the research about education program and its effect
has to be executed.