Predictors of Research Utilization among Pediatric Occupational Therapists

Abstract

Evidence-based practice and research utilization activities by clinicians enable clients to receive the best, most current health care available. This study investigated the factors predicting pediatric occupational therapists' attitudes toward evidence-based practice and research utilization in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Taiwan. Questionnaires were received from 696 participants (response rate = 56.58%) who completed the Edmonton Research Orientation Survey (EROS), the Research Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Research Survey (KAP Survey), and the Barriers to Research Utilization Scale (BARRIERS). The results of the multiple linear regression analysis indicated the strongest predictor of research utilization was “level of academic occupational therapy qualification,” which was found to be predictive of all of the EROS subscales. The second EROS subscale, “research involvement,” had the largest number of predictive factors. To increase research utilization among pediatric occupational therapists, it is important to be mindful of which aspects of research require improvement so that strategies with the greatest impact and influence can be implemented.