Evidence Based Practice Resources for Students
Jarret Wolske, University of Illinois at Chicago
For many of us students, finding and using evidence-based resources in class or during fieldwork can be a daunting task. Frequently, we either do not have the time to look, or we are not sure where to begin. The following are some resources that I have found helpful—they have been organized by topics frequently used by students to facilitate accessing useful and appropriate evidence-based materials.
Need help implementing evidence-based interventions during fieldwork?
- View the Critically Appraised Topics (CATs), which provide “at-a-glance” summaries that include key information and guidelines for occupational therapy practice. Each CAT is organized by the six main areas of practice.
- Search the Evidence Based Resource Directory for a multitude of sources and Internet sites related to the evidence-based practice of occupational therapy.
- Explore the special issues and topic areas of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy for articles and systematic reviews on clinical conditions and related topics.
Conducting a research project?
- Look up the systematic reviews by practice area while conducting research in class or performing literature reviews.
Looking to brush up on clinical appraisal skills?
- Contribute to AOTA’s Evidence Exchange. Submit a Critically Appraised Paper from class or fieldwork to be reviewed for AOTA’s website.
Interested in studying or working in a specific area of practice?
- Read about your area of interest in the SIS Quarterly Practice Connections for the latest information about the role and application of research and other evidence to practice.
- Sign up for OT Connections and visit the member-only forums in your area of interest when you have practice-related questions, or when you’re interested in learning more about a particular area.
Looking for SOTA activities?
- Start a Journal Club using the Journal Club Toolkit.
- Listen to the Everyday Evidence Podcast as a class or during your meetings.
- View the list of evidence-based resources AOTA has to offer and generate a discussion about how evidence can be used to improve practice, build client trust, and advocate for the profession.
Interested in a specific area of practice? Search through EBP Resources by Topic Area:
- Children & Youth
- Health & Wellness
- Mental Health
- Productive Aging
- Rehabilitation & Disability
- Work & Industry
As students, we will be expected to share our evidence-based knowledge within our academic program, with our fieldwork educators, and beyond. To achieve this proficiency, become familiar with the resources available to you and start to incorporate them into your assignments, research, and intervention plans. Practicing in this way will position you well after graduation to be a successful evidence-based occupational therapist. Taking advantage of all of the opportunities to incorporate evidence into your school work and clinical experiences will have a positive impact on those around you by demonstrating the value and scope of occupational therapy through overall better client outcomes.
Jarrett Wolske is a recent occupational therapy graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) MS program and plans on working in outpatient pediatrics. Jarrett has also recently finished his time as a 2016-2017 AOTA Emerging Leader supporting the Evidence-Based Practice Project.