Search

Introduction: Employment of occupational therapists in generic roles in public mental health services (PMHSs) constrains capacity to undertake discipline‐specific activity meaning consumers may be unable to access valuable occupational therapy assessments and interventions that could promote recovery. Establishing a dedicated occupational therapy clinic has been identified as one way of improving care provided and outcomes for organisations, therapists, and consumers. To inform such developments, this paper reports evaluation of feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of a pilot clinic established within a PMHS. Methods: An observational evaluation was used combining quantitative and qualitative data collected from service documents, clinic records, and in semi‐structured interviews with 42 stakeholders. Quantitative data were used to describe referrals and flow through the clinic. Framework analysis of qualitative data examined the process and outcomes of referrals and enabled understanding of acceptability, perceived impact and areas for improvement. Results: Substantial ground work, particularly stakeholder engagement, and redistribution of resources enabled establishment and successful operation of an assessment clinic for 12 months. Assessments were completed for 68% of the 100 accepted referrals, with the remainder in process or unable to be completed. Stakeholders agreed that the clinic enabled clinicians' timely access to specialist assessment, improving care for consumers. Occupational therapists valued the opportunity to deploy and develop discipline‐specific skills and when there was some impact on work flow of occupational therapists' 'home teams', team managers judged the investment worthwhile. Strong leadership by the discipline lead and support from team managers who enabled allocation of occupational therapists to the clinic were critical to success. Conclusion: An occupational therapy assessment clinic can be established and operate successfully within a public mental health setting. Redistribution of resources supported increased efficiency and consumer access to specialist interventions that support their recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder with motor and psychosocial consequences, can significantly impact children's quality of life. In Australia, most children with diagnosed/suspected DCD have received occupational therapy services, more so than any other health service. As such, occupational therapists are key in identification and treatment and require a sound knowledge of diagnostic criteria and the best evidence for practice. This study explored current occupational therapy services for children with DCD. Areas for development are identified to improve the identification of, and subsequent intervention for, children with DCD. Methods: In this cross‐sectional study, an online survey was completed in September and October 2020 by 175 occupational therapists working in Australia. Results: Although all therapists worked with children who met the criteria for DCD diagnosis, 70% worked with children with no specific diagnosis and 50% worked with children with outdated diagnostic labels. Australian occupational therapists used similar models/frameworks (commonly a multisensory/sensory processing approach) to guide practice with children with DCD, regardless of therapist characteristics, practice setting (clinic/community, rural/urban), how therapy is funded, or the state where the therapists completed their training/currently practiced. Although assessment practices did not differ significantly, therapists with greater years of paediatric practice and those who studied and/or practiced in Western Australia were more likely to assess to identify DCD. Half of the therapists did not assess to identify DCD; however, 60% of assessing therapists reported best practice methods in assessment for DCD, indicating emerging best practices in the Australian context. Conclusion: The findings from this study suggest that small adaptations to current occupational therapy practice may enhance the early identification of children with DCD in Australia. The existing gaps in evidence to practice must be addressed to improve current Australian practice and increase access to appropriate services and ultimately improve the quality of life for children with DCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prior to implementing new programmes or practices, it is essential to understand the context, barriers and enablers to support successful use. The tailored activity programme (TAP) is an evidence‐based intervention provided by occupational therapists to support community‐dwelling people living with dementia and their carers. The programme was developed in the United States, and although it is not currently available for routine use in Australia, its implementation would address the needs of many Australians with dementia and their carers. Aim: The aim of the study is to understand the perspectives of occupational therapists and their managers regarding barriers and enablers to the delivery and implementation of the TAP in Queensland, Australia. Methods: A qualitative descriptive methodology was employed. Semistructured interviews were undertaken with occupational therapists (n = 18) who work with community‐dwelling people with dementia and their carers, and their managers (n = 10). Participants were recruited from a range of organisations across Queensland, and they were asked about potential barriers and enablers to implementing TAP. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were mapped using framework analysis whilst remaining open to other themes. Findings: Themes were identified, and facilitating factors included the close alignment of TAP with occupational therapists' scope of practice; their acceptance of, and optimism about the programme and its perceived benefits including improved client outcomes; and an opportunity for occupational therapists to further develop their skills. Managerial support and carers' readiness and willingness to participate were also identified as important factors for success, whereas barriers were cost to clients and the capacity of the occupational therapy workforce to provide TAP. Conclusion: Occupational therapists and their managers expressed enthusiasm for TAP and awareness of its likely benefits, while also identifying barriers that will need to be addressed if implementation of the programme is to be successful in Australia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Global migration and an increased life expectancy led to a growing number of people with dementia from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CaLD) backgrounds living in long‐term residential care settings. These minority groups' wellbeing may be negatively impacted due to poor culturally appropriate care that fails to honour valued cultural traditions. This study considered culturally appropriate dementia care for older adults with an Indian heritage living in Sydney‐based residential aged care facilities. Research design and methods: The Nominal Group Technique was employed to collect data from three groups of stakeholders of Indian heritage over a period of 6 months: care staff (n = 8), family of residential care recipients (n = 8), and community‐dwelling older adults (n = 7). Results: Perspectives highlighted six concepts for consideration: (1) embracing a person‐centred approach to promote culturally appropriate dementia care; (2) training staff in culturally appropriate forms of respect; (3) the impact of staff ratios on care; (4) the importance of familiarity to meaningful engagement; (5) the importance of food; and (6) the necessity of engaging family and the wider Indian community in residential care activities. Conclusions: Culturally appropriate dementia care for older adults with an Indian heritage is an area in need of further development. To ensure that residents with an Indian heritage are respected as an ethnic minority, it remains crucial that research is generated to inform policy development on each CaLD group as a separate entity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Within Australia, the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme has led to a growth in paediatric occupational therapists working in community settings. This growth has increased the demand for support from more senior paediatric occupational therapists to novice clinicians. Mentoring has long been valued by occupational therapists as a means to provide this support. Despite its apparent benefit, there is limited research on the contribution of mentoring as distinct from supervision, and its impact on mentees' skills and confidence in providing care. This study examined the contribution of mentorship to the development of professional capability in paediatric occupational therapy practice from the perspective of mentors and mentees. Methods: Interpretive description methodology was used. In‐depth interviews were conducted with nine mentors and eight mentees from three Australian states. Data were analysed inductively and thematically. Findings: All participants reflected on the challenges presented by the complexity of practice, requiring a knowledge base that mentees perceived they did not possess. The essential nature of non‐judgemental, emotional support allowed mentees to feel safe to discuss their concerns when they were often overwhelmed by practice. Mentorship was viewed as capacity building, building competence by scaffolding clinical reasoning and supporting theory to practice translation while developing resilience to cope with complexity. Conclusion: Study participants reported that successful mentorship assisted novice practitioners to integrate knowledge and skills required for complex clinical and professional reasoning. The emotional support provided through the relationship supported novice therapists to build their confidence and resilience while promoting professional identity and socialisation into the profession. The study raised questions related to how the profession best supports novice paediatric therapists in the current employment contexts, and the need to review how bodies of knowledge relevant to paediatrics are brought together to be used by both novice clinicians and senior therapists, who support them, for translation to effective practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Collaborating with consumers in designing, delivering, and evaluating curricula is an ongoing initiative within occupational therapy tertiary courses in Australia. Within the Australian educational context, consumers are involved in on‐campus educational activities. Student occupational therapists must complete 1000 hours of practice placements as part of their education. To date, no research has explored how consumers could contribute to student occupational therapists' learning during practice placements. This study aimed to explore Australian occupational therapists' perceptions of consumers providing feedback to students during practice placements. Methods: A qualitative descriptive approach was adopted to engage with the diversity of practice contexts and gain a rich dataset from the occupational therapy profession. A qualitative questionnaire was developed and distributed using snowballing techniques. The questionnaire asked recipients to reflect on the risks, challenges, and benefits of consumers providing feedback to student occupational therapists from all stakeholders' perspectives. Demographic data were collated, and reflexive thematic analysis was used to construct themes. Findings: Responses were received from 81 participants. Most respondents identified as experienced occupational therapists from metropolitan locations across Australia. Reflective thematic analysis was used to construct three themes: Personal capability of consumers and students will enable, inhibit, and be developed by engaging in a feedback process; an educator‐controlled process to ensure safety for all stakeholders is required for time‐poor practice contexts; and us versus them: Shifting control to consumers can disempower practice educators. Conclusion: Engaging with consumers throughout all aspects of student occupational therapists' educational programme is required, including practice placements. New educational initiatives need to consider all stakeholders' concerns to ensure that authentic contribution from consumers is made within the various practice contexts. A co‐design approach that involves all stakeholders to develop a feedback process may result in high‐quality learning experiences that assist students to become safer, consumer‐centred health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Experts by Experience involvement in the education of health professionals has gained momentum as an important strategy in ensuring quality, person‐centred education. Despite being a requirement for occupational therapy programs in Australia and internationally, involvement is variable and limited. Barriers to the implementation of academic roles have been identified, including negative attitudes of colleagues, systemic barriers, and insufficient evidence of their value. Mental health academics who do not identify as having lived experience (referred to as allies) have provided crucial support for Experts by Experience. Understanding their perspectives on implementation barriers and how they can be addressed is crucial to facilitating a broader level of meaningful involvement. Methods: A qualitative exploratory research project was conducted, involving in‐depth interviews with mental health academic allies (n = 16) from Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand. Participants were from the disciplines of nursing, occupational therapy, social work, and psychiatry. Data were analysed thematically. Findings: Two main themes were identified from the data analysis process: convincing colleagues and dealing with university barriers. Participants described varying attitudes from colleagues towards Experts by Experience, with many not understanding or appreciating their contribution to education and student outcomes. At the university level, reluctance to embrace innovation and funding and other resource shortages presented impediments to the implementation of Expert by Experience roles. Participants described using creative measures to overcome institutional barriers and encourage greater acceptance of such roles by colleagues. Conclusion: This research describes how allies experienced and overcame barriers they faced when supporting the implementation of academic positions for Experts by Experience. Allies have an important role to play in overcoming systemic barriers, and the approaches they have taken to achieve this may be an important source of learning for others with similar aspirations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Occupational therapists may recommend and support technology use for facilitating independence, safety, wellbeing, and participation. There are high expectations for technology for people living with dementia. However, there is recognition that technologies will need to improve to deliver these expected benefits. People living with dementia have historically been excluded from direct involvement in research and design. A program of participatory research was undertaken to codesign technologies and technology research with people living with dementia and care partners. This work aims to capture the requirements, actions, and barriers experienced in forming these partnerships in technology research and design. Methods: A shared metareflection of experiences was conducted by members (5) of the research teams involved in three participatory research and technology design studies. The team comprising living experience experts, an occupational therapist, and interaction designer reflected on their experiences and derived recommendations. Key considerations for effective partnerships were drawn inductively by the authors from study experiences, materials, and reflexive discussion. Findings: Six core areas were identified. These were four action areas—(1) Agree on the value; (2) The time to start partnering is now; (3) Ask not assume; and (4) Push back on 'we always have'—(5) barriers and tensions, and (6) unexpected benefits. The reflections indicated that genuine partnerships and engagements were possible with living experience experts in research and design teams. These required resourcing and focussed actions to promote partnership. Despite some structural changes that encourage partnering, there are considerable barriers to this engagement; however, benefits beyond the expected ones can be realised. Conclusion: Genuine partnerships in technology research and design with living experience experts are possible and lead to benefits for the team, research outcomes, and technologies. Recommended actions could support expansion of effective partnerships with people living with dementia and care partners as well as other partnerships in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Research capacity building enhances the abilities of individuals and is critical within health systems for quality patient care and promotes a culture of excellence within the occupational therapy profession. A research capacity building toolkit was proposed identifying strategies to support allied health professionals to undertake research. This study evaluated participant‐reported outcomes of research capacity building toolkit implementation in an occupational therapy department. Methods: An observational pre–post‐cohort study at a tertiary hospital with volunteer occupational therapists using the standardised Research Capacity in Context Tool (RCCT) and an author‐designed quality improvement (QI) survey was employed. The RCCT measures research capacity and culture at organisation, team and individual levels. Semi‐structured interviews were used to elicit reflections regarding participant experience. Results: All levels of the toolkit were implemented successfully. The response rate was 59% (n = 36) at baseline and 49.1% (n = 26) at follow‐up. Eighty‐five percent of participants held direct clinical roles. Nine clinicians participated in the interviews. There were significant improvements in the estimate mean for the organisation (6.51 [2019] compared with 8.13 [2020], p = <0.001) and the team (5.52 [2019] compared with 7.15 [2020], p = 0.001). The individual level did not significantly change with an estimate mean of 4.20 in 2019 increasing slightly to 4.84 in 2020 (p = 0.128). This was supported by the QI survey where improvements were noted in the department but not at an individual level. The qualitative findings verified the components of the toolkit including 'supporting clinicians in research', 'working together', 'valuing research for excellence' and reflected the importance of 'individual attributes'. Conclusion: The toolkit supported the implementation of specific strategies to enhance research capacity and culture. Improvements within the organisation and team were evident; however, these were not seen at an individual level. Further research about the contribution of individual‐related factors and processes to the building of research capacity is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Palliative Care Australia suggests current needs (emotional wellbeing, understanding of cancers impact on relationships, everyday activities, and life milestones) for adolescent and young adults in palliative care are unmet due to a lack of age‐specific palliative care facilities in Australia. This includes the provision of occupational therapy that can impact these unmet needs. Although the occupational therapy role in palliative care has been documented, little is known about existing occupational therapy services or occupational needs for young people with palliative care needs. The aims of this study were to obtain occupational therapists insights of working with this population in Australia regarding (1) gaps in palliative care services for this population; (2) facilitators and challenges to providing occupational therapy for this group; and (3) perceived occupational needs of young people living with a life‐limiting cancer diagnosis. Methods: Using snowball sampling, an online survey was distributed to occupational therapists with experience working in palliative cancer care with adolescents and young adults. Available for 6 weeks, the survey included demographic, work history, and service delivery questions. Forced‐choice questions were summarised descriptively, and content analysis was used to analyse free‐text data. Results: Eleven completed surveys were returned. Overall, therapists perceived current palliative care services for this population within Australia to be lacking. Two gaps emerged: age‐appropriate facilities and gaps in provision of psycho‐social and occupational therapy services. Funding, lack of knowledge of the occupational therapy role, and professional confidence were highlighted as challenges to practice. Main occupational needs related to maintenance of as "normal" a life as possible: maintaining occupational role engagement, continuing connection with others, and being heard regarding their occupational needs. Conclusion: Findings suggest a need for service changes, including custom‐designed facilities, improved funding, training and mentoring, to support age‐appropriate and occupation‐focussed care for the young person in cancer‐specific palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our core professional values have been enduring and remarkably relevant to decades past and times present. Our values ensure the currency of our professional contribution, our resilience, readiness, and adaptability, to meet the challenges as we move into the next decade and beyond. In this Sylvia Docker lecture, I draw on my career experience from practice and academic research to examine this premise. The social isolation during the COVID‐19 pandemic gave us all a picture of what our clients experience in an enduring way and the challenges of maintaining healthy lifestyles, meaningful occupations, and life roles. One of the greatest population challenges of this century is healthy ageing and the impact that ageism has on health. We live in a society that is ageist, and such cultural thinking impacts our beliefs and expectations as it does for older adults themselves. As occupational therapists, we strive to maintain our relevance, and we drive transformational change through using research‐informed evidence‐based approaches and adopting enablement programmes that meet the needs of people who are ageing. While prominent in enablement and therapeutic approaches, we are not immune to ageism. Being exposed to ageist views throughout our lives means, we internalise these and believe that ageing is a process of decline. Such self‐perceptions and stereotyping impact the health of older people and influence the choices we make in our everyday practice. There are examples of emerging evidence and approaches that will meet these challenges and ways to re‐frame ageist thinking. Occupational therapy values of working with people's strengths, what they can do, indicates we are well placed to engage and provide leadership in moving societal views. Addressing ageism requires self‐reflection and action in order to be part of changing the narrative on ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Assistance dogs, considered a form of assistive technology within Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), can support scheme participants to achieve greater independence. To receive funding, an allied health assessment report (most often from occupational therapists) is required to justify the animal as a reasonable and necessary support. Objectives: Examine Australian occupational therapists' knowledge and perceptions of assistance dogs; NDIS funding of animal supports; and resources considered useful to guide occupational therapy assessment and report writing. Method: An online anonymous survey was developed and distributed via social media channels, an email listserv, and professional association newsletters to Australian occupational therapists. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Inductive content analysis of open‐ended question responses provided additional insights regarding occupational therapists' knowledge, experiences, and information needs in relation to animal supports. Results: One hundred forty‐five completed surveys were received. A majority of participants had limited knowledge regarding the purpose, scope, and funding of assistance dogs. Only 14 participants had made a referral for an assistance dog for an NDIS participant. For the 36 participants who self‐identified as having good or excellent knowledge of one or more types of assistance dogs, benefits included increasing users' independence, confidence, and quality of life. Although participants agreed they had suitable skills to prescribe assistance dogs, greater clarification regarding their role in the NDIS assessment, advisory, and application process was seen as necessary. Conclusion: This research highlighted the need for increased information for occupational therapists regarding the various types of assistance dogs and NDIS funding rules. The provision of NDIS reporting templates, practice guidance, and professional development resources—as well as occupational therapy curriculum for near‐graduate therapists—could enhance knowledge, clinical reasoning, and practice when considering the most appropriate support and whether an assistance dog is both reasonable and necessary based on the person's goals and needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organisational, physical and social environment within residential aged care settings greatly influence its residents' sense of autonomy, choice and control and their ability to engage in meaningful occupations. Identifying to what extent these environmental contexts are supportive and well‐coordinated could assist with promoting meaningful engagement of residents. The Residential Environment Impact Scale (REIS) was developed to measure the impact of the physical and social environment on residents. This study examined the benefits and barriers to implementing the REIS in four Australian Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) and factors to consider during implementation. Method: A multisite sequential mixed‐methods study was conducted. Research participants included occupational therapists conducting the REIS and leadership staff examining the REIS reports in four facilities. Data consisted of formal observations of the REIS assessment process, an online survey of all participants and two research consensus groups. Qualitative findings were generated from field notes, open‐ended survey questions and group discussions. Close‐ended survey questions provided quantitative data. Findings The REIS was considered a useful audit tool, generating a holistic overview of the RACF. It highlighted the quality of person‐centred care and the potential role of occupational therapists to promote opportunities for meaningful occupational engagement. Barriers included administration time, personal characteristics of residents and limited resources to action recommendations. Conclusion: The REIS has potential to be an audit tool for a whole‐environment approach to facility assessment of residents' sense of autonomy, occupational choice and meaningful engagement. As such, it provides occupational therapists with scope to support RACFs meeting national quality standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the introduction of consumer‐directed care in the Australian community aged care sector, there are more opportunities for occupational therapists to provide evidence‐based services that meet consumer needs. There is also an increasing requirement for health professionals to promote their interventions to consumers. Particularly for the implementation of new programs within organisations. However, occupational therapists have historically neglected widely promoting the role of occupational therapy services for older people. This study examines the perceptions of occupational therapists and their managers in promoting their service; the Care of People in their Environment (COPE) Program. Methods: This study utilised a qualitative interpretative description; including 28 in‐depth interviews. Purposeful sampling ensured a variety of occupational therapists from different health contexts. Thematic analysis captured key emergent themes related to promoting occupational therapy interventions and implementation. Results: Many occupational therapists were apprehensive about promoting or selling their services and interventions. Greater levels of confidence in promoting the program were present when the program aligned with traditional models of service delivery and organisational processes. Occupational therapists described having limited opportunity to directly promote the program to consumers as community case managers were mostly the main contact at the organisation. There was limited consideration of promotion strategies and therefore limited enactment of strategies by organisations. Not‐for‐profit and non‐government organisations recognise that the changed community aged care market provided new business opportunities. Conclusion: With changes in the Australian aged care system, occupational therapy has great opportunity to provide diverse, evidence‐based interventions driven by the needs of consumers. Reframing the notion of 'selling', to empowering consumers to be more informed about their options, will allow occupational therapists to build confidence in their promotional skills. Promoting evidence‐based programs will have positive outcomes for the visibility, professional identity and recognition of occupational therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The inclusion of a therapy dog has been suggested as a means of facilitating therapy engagement for children on the autism spectrum within occupational therapy sessions. The aim of this study was to seek an understanding of possible benefits and challenges of this practice from the perspectives of occupational therapists, trained in canine‐assisted therapy. Method: This study adopted an interpretive descriptive design. Six therapists participated in a semi‐structured, telephone interview to describe their experience of working as canine‐assisted occupational therapists with children on the autism spectrum. An inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Results: Two overarching themes emerged. The first captured how therapists incorporated their therapy dog into sessions to accelerate children's initial motivation to engage within the therapy process. Specifically, therapists discussed how involving their therapy dog facilitated the development of a secure relationship, supported autonomous task involvement and increased children's sense of confidence. Second, they identified challenges inherent in their practice, such as the therapist's ability to maintain a goal‐directed focus when including a therapy dog. Beyond the challenges within their own practice sessions, therapists reflected on issues thought to impact the occupational therapy profession since starting practice as a canine‐assisted occupational therapist. Conclusion: Findings from this study contribute to the current understanding of how occupational therapists incorporate therapy dogs into their practice with children on the autism spectrum. The specific challenges noted by the therapists highlighted the importance of canine‐assisted occupational therapy being viewed as an advanced scope of practice within Australia and, therefore, the need for training and practice guidelines to be established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Over the last 20 years, the number of individuals affected by obesity in Australia has increased by 56%. The impact of excessive weight gain results in a wide range of physical, psychological and social difficulties, with resultant changes to occupational performance and engagement. For some people within this population, a further consequence of this increasing weight gain contributes to additional difficulties, with the individual being considered to be "bariatric". For these people, resultant changes include decreased capacity to engage in self‐care activities, leisure occupations and productive roles, creating significant difficulties in undertaking important life roles. This phenomenological study aimed to understand the occupational engagement of individuals with bariatric needs, and to identify potential opportunities to support the engagement and participation of these individuals from the perspectives of Australian occupational therapists. Methods: Qualitative data were collected from 11 semi‐structured interviews with occupational therapists from a variety of practice settings. Results: Thematic analysis identified four central themes (a) Occupational engagement was significantly impacted by a lack of suitable resources and availability of daily living equipment; (b) Health and well‐being were impacted by a disruption in meaningful occupational engagement; (c) Occupational roles were limited due to poor occupational identity and perceptions of not belonging within the community; (d) Occupational therapists do have a varied role when working with individuals with bariatric needs. Conclusion: Occupational therapists engaged in this study indicated that people with bariatric needs were significantly impacted by many complex issues as a result of their health condition, often contributing to poor health and decreased well‐being. Occupational therapists are well‐placed to engage with individuals with bariatric needs across many care contexts and must take up potential opportunities to provide services targeted towards the increased engagement and participation of these individuals, with resultant improvements to health and well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence-based practice (EBP) and research utilisation (RU) are promoted as ways for clients to receive the best level of care. However, limited research has evaluated the use of these approaches by occupational therapists. This study investigated the knowledge, attitudes, practices of and barriers to EBP and RU of a group of paediatric occupational therapists from Australia. Questionnaires were received from 138 participants (response rate 46%) who completed the Research Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices of Research Survey, the Edmonton Research Orientation Survey and the Barriers to Research Utilisation Scale. The participants held positive attitudes towards research, and were willing to access new information to guide practice approaches. However, participants were less confident in their research knowledge and practices and implemented research findings into clinical practice. Multiple barriers to RU were perceived, particularly associated with the presentation and accessibility of research. Participants reported limited engagement in conducting research studies, although the majority of the participants reported implementing the findings of research into their clinical practice to some extent. Additional research education and support within organisations would be beneficial to ensure that children and families are receiving occupational therapy services that are based on sound, high-quality research evidence. The findings of this study provide insight into the perceived research knowledge, attitudes, practices of and barriers to Australian paediatric occupational therapists, enabling specific strategies to be implemented to increase the use of EBP and RU within the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]