Brent, the issue of research supporting practice is very valid. I don't have a good reply other than to follow up with your sentiments that OT is NOT alone in the lack of evidence supporting practice.
At this point, I must confess a small secret. I do not like research; I don't like doing it or reading it. I KNOW it's important but I am just NOT a research man. As such, I tend to never focus on the research question(s) that you mention, but maybe I should. Maybe someone else on the list has a better answer. None the less, thanks for taking time to write..... Ron -- Ron Carson MHS, OT ----- Original Message ----- From: Brent Cheyne <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Sunday, September 07, 2008 To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subj: [OTlist] expertise BC> Ron and all, BC> While defining expertise for OTs as being "Occupation" seems BC> to fill the void of a professional identitity crisis. To be an BC> "expert" as a profession should be more than just about what we BC> "believe in" or what we "hold dear". These beliefs, values, and BC> assumptions are a philosophical ideology (Theory) which has great BC> usefulness in forming a professional identity but what about the BC> role facts and evidence in refining our practices? What if facts BC> and evidence refute our belief about the use of Occupation in BC> certain situations?...will we refine our beliefs and practices? BC> Currently it seems as though practices can neither be fully confirmed or refuted.... BC> When we make these judgements about what is good OT and BC> not-good OT shouldn't we also have an scientific method of BC> establishing what does work and refine our practice from that BC> data. Shouldn't all theories be tested and questioned and BC> proven?...or at least a tendency or trend be established? BC> Granted it is very hard work to find information that BC> supports and validates completely certain practices, please steer BC> me in the direction of some good research and outcomes that shows BC> that Occupation is a powerful tool, process, method, to achieve BC> functional outcomes....I know that we all believe in Occupation BC> but is that enough? This kind of information would validate our BC> practices and confirm us as experts. We are not alone in this BC> disconnection between theory and objective evidence. The lack of BC> evidence and science in practice is a problem for not only OT, but BC> PT, MDs, pharmacology and countless other health-related professions. BC> It feels good to believe but I want more specifics for my work in Geriatric Rehab. BC> Sincerely, BC> Brent Cheyne OTR/L BC> BC> -- Options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]
