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Background. Many health professionals, including occupational therapists, have difficulty utilizing research findings in daily practice. Purpose. To determine if an online action research project could enhance research use among occupational therapists working in similar practice areas. Methods. Four groups of 12-14 occupational therapists met online for approximately one year. They discussed barriers and facilitators to research utilization, defined practice questions,and attempted to search for, synthesize and apply relevant research findings. Online communications and post-group interviews were thematically analyzed. Results. Only half of the participants who began the project were still online with the research project at completion. These participants believed that their involvement in the group led to increased personal awareness,motivation and confidence regarding the use of research evidence in practice and knowledge to be used in practice. Time to review, critique and synthesize research evidence continued to be a major barrier to enhanced research utilization. Practice Implications. Online meetings designed to enhance research use among occupational therapists appear to hold some promise, but refinements are needed to ensure their ultimate success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: There is a pressing need for occupational therapists to provide research-based practice, yet there is little understanding of the specific strategies and processes individual practitioners use to integrate research evidence into their clinical practice. METHOD: Using grounded theory method, the self-reported research utilization strategies of a sample of 11 elite occupational therapists practicing in adult stroke rehabilitation were examined. The triangulation of the interview data, the organizational policies of their workplaces, and existing theoretical concepts and processes of research utilization resulted in the development of a theory and a practice model to guide research utilization in occupational therapy. RESULTS: The Theory of Research Utilization Enhancement for Occupational Therapists, and the Model of Research Utilization in Occupational Therapy are presented, and their implications for practice, policy, education and future research are discussed. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Built upon the Occupational Performance Process Model, the theory and model are proposed as guides to enhance therapists' ability to maintain a client-centred approach while informing clinical practices with research evidence. The application of structured reflection, case application and peer consultation facilitate the integration of research evidence into clinical practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Declaration: The authors would like to declare that this study has not been published or being reviewed by other journals. Retention of new information may be impaired during recovery from general anaesthesia. Patients are likely to be anxious if they cannot recall information conveyed at the surgeons' postoperative visit. Previous studies have shown evidence of short-term memory impairment after GA. Patients undergoing day case knee arthroscopy under general anaesthesia were told five random words and three diagnostic findings from their operation, by the surgeon prior to discharge. The patients were telephoned the following day to test their recall of words and diagnostic findings, with a maximum possible score of eight. 96 patients were available for the telephone follow-up. The patients were grouped according to the interval between the end of anaesthesia and the time the information was given to them. For knee arthroscopy day cases it appears that, allowing as much time as possible after anaesthesia, at least two hours if possible, before reviewing a patient in the recovery area will likely enhance his/her later recall of the clinical information, potentially setting patient expectations at the appropriate level and improving compliance with postoperative rehabilitation. For the surgeons' post-operative visit to be valuable to the patient, it should take place at least two hours following cessation of anaesthesia. It is advisable to endorse verbal communication with written information.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]