Date of Award

5-10-2025

Document Type

Bibliographic Record

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Susan Noyes PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA

Second Advisor

Sarah Grinder MOT, OTR/L

Third Advisor

Tammy Bickmore OTD, OTR/L

Keywords

Student Scholarship, Occupational Therapy, OT, Evidence-based Practice, Adult Education, Andragogy, Professional Development, Justice

Abstract

Occupational therapy practitioners encounter multiple barriers to engaging in evidence-based practice (EBP), including restricted access to research, financial and time constraints, limited institutional support, insufficient opportunities for collaboration and mentorship, and, at times, a lack of knowledge or confidence in the EBP process. These challenges contribute to occupational injustice, as not all practitioners have equal opportunities to develop professionally and integrate current evidence into their work. This evidence-based capstone project examined the impact of occupational justice on professional development and assessed an intervention intended to mitigate barriers to evidence-based practice (EBP) and strengthen practitioners’ knowledge and confidence in EBP. Specifically, an online course was developed to provide Maine occupational therapy practitioners with free education, practical open-access resources, and access to a professional learning community. Participants, recruited from the Maine Occupational Therapy Association (MeOTA), completed pre- and post-course surveys that identified barriers to professional development and assessed their confidence in finding, accessing, and applying research. Data analysis assessed changes in self-efficacy, knowledge, and perceived barriers to evidence-based practice, revealing statistically significant improvements following the intervention, thereby suggesting its effectiveness. Findings from this evidence-based capstone project may inform future efforts to promote equitable access to professional development, supporting a more just and evidence-informed occupational therapy workforce.

Comments

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate

The Post-Professional Occupational Therapy Doctorate Evidence-based Capstone Project was approved by the following: The University of Southern Maine Institutional Review Board The Maine Occupational Therapy Association (MeOTA)

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