A critical examination of evidence and its relation to occupation in scientific occupational therapy articles

Abstract: The introduction of scientific research evidence through evidence-based practice (EBP) into occupational therapy can potentially be used to reform and transform the profession, both as a limiting and defining process as well as a broadening and developing process. Two different approaches to the topic of EBP were found in this review. They are comprised of a position favoring a traditional evidence-hierarchy centered on RCT-studies and a multidimensional perspective incorporating qualitative data to the evidence-base of occupational therapy practice. Articles linking the evidence-perspectives to the key concept of occupation are few and pre-dominantly found in the group that conveys a multidimensional perspective on evidence. How occupational therapists in their studies relates their comprehension of the concepts of evidence and evidence-based practice to the key concept of occupation is an important factor in creating an research environment of possibilities, in which occupational therapy fully can position itself, within the future world of health and health care.