An overview of the current status of evidence-based occupational therapy in Finland

Abstract

The change of the global paradigm in health care has made us aware of the value and importance of evidence based practice in occupational therapy (EBOT). In this article we will give a picture of Finnish EBOT including education, clinical practice, research, and examples of activities done to support EBOT. In the educational field, occupational therapy degree programmes are working with the challenge of how students will achieve the competences to integrate EBOT with clinical practice. The Finnish Association of Occupational Therapy has strongly supported, in different ways, the dissemination of EBOT in Finland. Occupational therapists have participated in national and multidisciplinary research projects that give the profession new arenas for scientific discussions.