The prevalence of evidence-based practice by the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist in the intervention planning process for client treatment

Abstract

Currently, there is a paucity of research examining the extent to which evidence-based practice (EBP) is being used by the Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of EBP used by the CTRSs in the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTC) southern district of the United States. This observational study investigated the use of EBP in the intervention planning process for client treatment. A sample of 500 randomly selected CTRS from the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCTRC) was surveyed, and 102 completed the survey, yielding a 20.4 percent response rate. The results clearly demonstrate that EBP is used at least some of the time by a majority of all CTRS. However, this survey indicates that EBP is not being used by most CTRS a majority of the time. Other results showed that only 27.7 percent of the respondents seek out research related to their clinical practice and evidence for validation 75 percent of the time or always. 31.7 percent apply research results to clinical practice 75 percent of the time or always. 33.7 percent use research to assist in developing recreation therapy (RT) intervention plans 75 percent of the time or always. 25.7 percent base their clinical decisions on research evidence 75 percent of the time or always, and 45.6 percent use RT interventions based on EBP 75 percent of the time or always. The goal of the RT profession should be to increase the use of research results and EBP so that all practicing CTRS are using them most, if not all of the time. EBP is a means toward effective client treatment which furthermore may aid in the survival and permanent inclusion of the RT profession in the healthcare world.