Occupational therapy (OT) is a health profession that is commonly seen in healthcare.
However, is not recognized as a mental health specialist in certain settings despite being seen in mental health care settings. Despite this, occupational therapy practice continues to evolve, and an area of emergent practice that continues to grow in this field is research and academia.
Research in the field of occupational therapy is what keeps the area of practice innovative.
Thomas & Law (2013) state in their literature how research in occupational therapy plays into a clinician’s awareness. As described in the literature, occupational therapy research allows healthcare practitioners to apply evidence-based practice to provide the best treatment to specific
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An OT can then provide or create a research program to conduct interventions that can assist this population reach their occupational goals. However, it is important in academia that education in conducting research and using evidence-based practice continues to expand to the upcoming waves of occupational therapy students. To ensure the best care plan for individuals, it is crucial to constantly gather new evidence. Keeping up with research is essential for staying current with the latest information. Conclusion
Occupational therapy strives to maintain a forward-thinking approach to continuously progress in the healthcare industry. To advance, research and academia will continue to be a part of the occupational therapy vision. Research can allow an OT to continue to apply evidence- based practice to provide the best care for clients. Academia focused on teaching students the importance of research and evidence-based practice can continue to provide new and upcoming students the confidence to apply these skills into clinical practice in the future. Occupational therapy will continue to advance, and research and academia are only the start of advancing a
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