Supporting evidence-based practice: Changes in service provision and practitioners’ attitudes following EBP Service Centre consultation – a qualitative study / Evidenzbasierte Praxis unterstützen: Veränderungen der Arbeitsweise und der Einstellungen von Ergotherapeuten/-innen durch die Nutzung eines EBP Service Centers - eine qualitative Studie

Evidence-based practice (EBP) aims at optimal fulfilment of clients´ needs, but also plays an essential role in establishing an effective and efficient health care system. It is no longer a question whether EBP is essential and valued, but rather how to sustainably implement it into clinical practice. A new implementation strategy of an EBP workshop in combination with a CAT (critically appraised topic) service was established and investigated.

The aim of this study was to explore post EBP Service Centre consultation effects regarding occupational therapists’ changes in service provision, professional viewpoints and attitudes and job satisfaction. The second aim was receiving feedback on the EBP Service Centre for its further development.

For the evaluation of the EBP Service Centre the qualitative approach of content analysis by Gläser and Laudel was chosen. Two focus group discussions with 13 participants were conducted.

The combination of an EBP workshop and a CAT service, as provided by the EBP Service Centre, seems to be an effective tool to facilitate EBP implementation. The service was used intensively. Participants reported changes in service provision, e.g. increased client-centredness and occupation-based practice and changed professional attitudes like increased reflection and critical questioning.

A division of resources and strengths between research staff and practitioners seems to be reasonable. Hence research staff takes over literature search and appraisal and produces CATs, whereas practitioners focus on asking clinical questions and integrating the knowledge from the CAT into their clinical decisions.