Teaching Evidence-Based Practice across Curricula—An Overview of a Professional Development Course for Occupational Therapy Educators

ABSTRACT

A professional development course for occupational therapy educators about teaching evidence-based practice (EBP) was developed and piloted. The course was developed to promote increased awareness of resources and methods for teaching EBP that are applicable across entry-level curricula. Participants included full-time faculty (n = 7) from one entry-level occupational therapy program in the New York City area. The results of the pilot informed refinement of the course in preparation for delivery to a wider audience of educators. This paper provides a description of the course, results of the pilot, and implications for future delivery of the course.

Keywords:

• Evidence-based practice
• occupational therapy education
• professional development

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the following persons: Deborah Lieberman and Dr. Marian Arbesman for their expert review of the content of the professional development course. The expert reviewers of the outcomes surveys, the participants in the pilot of the professional development course, Dr. Mulcahey, Dr. Piersol, and Dr. Toth-Cohen for their support and guidance.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

About the Authors

Marta M. Daly, OTD, OTR/L, Assistant Professor, Department of Occupational Therapy, Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus, Brooklyn, NY, USA; Tina M. DeAngelis, EdD, OTR/L, Associate Professor and Director, Doctorate Program in Occupational Therapy (OTD), Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA