Doing Systematic Reviews in an Occupational Therapy Department

Abstract

The occupational therapy department of a teaching hospital wanted to review the evidence for the treatments that they used regularly. A temporary occupational therapist project officer was appointed to introduce the systematic review process to the staff. This report describes the process of performing the systematic reviews.

The occupational therapists gained skills in forming an evidence-seeking question, identifying sources of bias within studies and deciding whether the findings of the study were applicable to their clients. They found it most difficult to understand research design, statistical principles and how to synthesise the findings. Suggestions are made for other departments that wish to implement the systematic review process.