Pilot Project Results
Authors:
Nedelec B, Pharand-Rancourt G, Kloda L, Korner-Bitensky N
Introduction:
Burn injuries result in massive rehabilitation challenges that require a highly specialized, interdisciplinary approach. To best address these challenges occupational therapists (OTs) and physical therapists (PTs) are increasingly focusing on the application of evidence-based practice (EBP). Thus, a pilot project was undertaken to document their perceived knowledge translation needs.
Methods:
12 therapists working with burn survivors were individually interviewed; 6 OTs and 6 PTs. The interview consisted of a variety of closed and open-ended questions to investigate what knowledge acquisition resources were being used, whether there was a perceived need for additional knowledge acquisition resources, and whether a web-based format would be viewed favorably. A student researcher took notes and summarized themes or categories.
Results:
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Demographics:
- Therapist’s work experience with burn survivors - ranged from 1 to 17 years.
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Most common source of information used to address clinical challenges:
- discussions with colleagues (11/12)
- journals and books
- in-services
- online searches (internet, Medline, Pubmed)
- conferences
- reports from conferences
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Contacts with other therapists:
- Believed to be a valuable resource (12/12)
- Contacted therapists outside of their institution (10/12)
- Contacted therapists outside of the province (3/12)
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Factors that limited contacts with other therapists:
- time constraints (6/12)
- limited number of resources in the province (4/12)
- lack of contact information and knowledge of other therapists (2/12)
- information gathering process completed by superior (2/12)
- limited need (2/12)
- absence of an interest group (1/12)
- lack of cooperation of other therapists (1/12)
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Perception of currently available learning resources :
- inadequate (10/12)
- adequate (2/12)
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Proposed solutions:
- facilitate inter-therapist contact (sharing clinical experiences, internet discussion, develop burn survivor rehabilitation interest group)(5/12)
- make research more available (this included basic access and interpretation of clinical significance or impact)(3/12)
- access to specialized journals (2/12)
- ability to attend conferences (1/12)
- material resources (equipment) (1/12)
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Would a website that provided therapists an opportunity to contact OTs and PTs across Canada be valuable?
- Yes (12/12)
- Predicted rate of interaction online 1x/month to 1x/year
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Why?
- Validation of practice/ideas for improvement (8/12)
- Update knowledge (latest research/practice trends)(6/12)
- Exchange challenges and successes (case discussions)(6/12)
- Provide contact information for referrals (4/12)
- Increase efficiency of patient care and professional improvement (3/12)
- Quick access to needed information (2/12)
- Decrease sense of isolation (2/12)
- Increase exposure to expertise and research in the field (1/12)
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What would therapists like to see on a burn survivor rehabilitation website?
- practice profile information (profession, location, type of setting, type of clientele, volume of clients seen, research involvement, specialized training, specific interests, language skills)
- information regarding new techniques
- abstracts from recent meetings
- links to other pertinent websites
- discussion group
- case presentations
- announcement of conferences or other educational opportunities
- open forum to leave questions
- inclusion of other team members
- interaction with researchers
Discussion and Conclusions:
The application of evidence-based practice demands that the health providers continually upgrade their knowledge yet, based on these results 83% of OTs and PTs surveyed believe that they are lacking adequate learning resources. Based upon these results this Burn Survivor Rehabilitation Website has been developed with the intent to expand and modify the site based upon the expressed needs of burn survivors and the care givers that provide their rehabilitation services.