L’assimilation et l’application des connaissances

Abstract

ful consideration. It suggests that philosophical fit overrides issues of evidence, that we first vet the evidence for fit with our basic ideas, and only if there is a fit do we consider the evidence for its possible uptake and translation into practice. If this is indeed the case, it suggests that our approach to supporting knowledge uptake or translation needs to be reconsidered; it further suggests that our approach to knowledge generation needs to be reconsidered—the latter is, prima facie, untenable. A profession based in science needs to be open to evidence—to be sure, it needs to be critical in its consideration of the evidence, applying the highest quality standards, but it needs to be open to evidence! With her opening words, Dr. Case-Smith offered an important insight into the ethos of our profession. If she was correct, and the evidence, at least with respect to the place ABA holds in the occupational therapy literature, suggests that she was, her words require us, as a profession, to elucidate our philosophies and examine them carefully from the perspective of science. Dr. Case-Smith’s insight also holds an imperative for us as individual, autonomous practitioners. Notwithstanding the role of the profession in knowledge uptake and translation, each of us is, ultimately, the gatekeeper for our own knowledge uptake and translation into practice. Accordingly, each of us needs to be self-reflective; each of us needs to examine the factors we bring to bear in considering the emerging evidence so we can best enable our clients’ occupation!