Increasing research utilisation through accessible research findings for occupational therapists.

Abstract

Occupational therapists have reported that they lack confidence in and have difficulty interpreting, synthesising and applying research findings in day-to-day professional practice (Thomas & Law, 2013). This, along with other factors, contributes to delays in research translation; that is, the time lag between publication of research results in scientific journals and their integration into clinical practice. On average there is a 17-year time lag between initial publication of research findings and the evidence being incorporated into clinical practice (Green, Ottoson, García, Hiatt & Roditis, 2014). When making clinical decisions, occupational therapists typically draw on information from a range of sources; the most common sources of information being past experience, professional development activities, journal clubs and textbooks available in their own area of practice (Metzler & Metz, 2010). These findings reveal that while therapists will draw on information from a number of sources to inform their clinical practice, they do not routinely refer to scientific journal articles (Curtis, Fry, Shaban & Considine, 2017). More needs to be done to ensure that research findings are presented in accessible formats for clinicians. The Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ) provides a platform for occupational therapists to publish research that is relevant and will be of interest and use to the field. The journal accepts articles that use a variety of research methodologies to answer the research questions posed. In keeping with the journal's high standards, the research needs to be rigorously conducted and approved by a recognised ethical review board. Thus, the content of the journal provides trustworthy information relevant for clinicians in a range of practice areas. What other steps can be taken to increase the reach and impact of published articles and promote uptake, transfer, integration and utilisation of quality empirical evidence into professional practice? The AOTJ have a long-standing history of addressing these needs through the Critically Appraised Papers department that summarises and appraises relevant high level empirical studies to make research more accessible to clinicians over the past 15 years. More recently the AOTJ has introduced three key points for occupational therapy practice at the end of all articles and launched a mobile app to further improve access to journal articles. However, in lieu of the growing need to improve the speed of knowledge translation, the Editorial Board is taking additional steps to promote the reach of published research by promoting papers through social media channels, making regular contributions to the Connections Magazine and creating awareness of tools that can be used by authors to promote and disseminate their work. Authors are encouraged to increase efforts to disseminate study results to their target audiences. In addition to publication in the journal, authors can share information through social media, blogs, webinars, offering to speak at local seminars, presenting their work at conferences, contributing to newsletters and by offering continuous professional development opportunities. AOTJ also supports efforts to increase the usability and clinical utility of the research. Occupational therapists have reported that the use of research in practice is enhanced when research is provided in summaries relevant to their practice context (Thomas & Law, 2013). Leaders in knowledge translation and research utilisation emphasise the importance of tailoring and targeting messages to the users and consumers of the research (Greenhalgh & Wieringa, 2011). The Editorial Board encourages authors to clearly describe implications for practice within their articles. Contributors should also consider presenting research findings in ways that are easier to understand. Presenting results in formats that are easily and quickly understood is more likely to result in knowledge translation. For example, results may be presented as an infographic, practice recommendation, key dot points of take home messages, lay summary or care pathway. In addition, contributors to the Journal are now able to publish supplementary material online allowing intervention protocols, as well as more detailed descriptions of methods to be made available to readers who wish to replicate study methodologies, assessments or interventions in their own practice. Research in the field of occupational therapy has grown exponentially over the last decade, yet more can be done to increase awareness and accessibility of research findings and to tailor messages in ways that mean that they are most likely to inform and impact professional practice in a timely manner. A constellation of these strategies will ultimately lead to improved knowledge translation, evidence update, research utilisation and better outcomes for our clients and the public we serve.