Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Health professionals are expected to engage with evidence-based practice, yet often the process seems unclear and only partially undertaken. This paper offers a guide to locating evidence for practice. It illustrates the need for full breadth and depth in searching and appraisal, and the application needed to ensure that therapy is informed by best available research and is then integrated with professional skill and judgement. The process of evidence-based practice is illustrated through a case study to demonstrate how the use of best evidence has to be tailored and negotiated with the client to meet their needs and preferences. The dynamic nature of evidence-based hand-therapy practice is explored.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Bury

, and Mead

(1998). Evidence-based healthcare: a practical guide for therapists. Butterworth Heinemann, Oxford

Chan

, and Spencer

(2004). ‘The Usefulness of Qualitative Development in Hand Therapy’ Journal of Hand Therapy 17(1): 1–5

Guyatt

, Sackett

, and Cook

(1993). ‘Users’ guide to the medical literature. II. How to use an article about therapy and prevention. Are the results of the study valid?’ Journal of the American Medical Association 270(21):2598–2601

Fitzpatrick

(2004). A phenomenological investigation of the experience of patients during rehabilitation programme following flexor tendon injury to their hand. Unpublished MSC thesis, University of London, London

Handoll

, and Varghela

(2004). ‘Interventions for treating mallet finger injuries’ The Cochrane Library, 2004 issue 3

Jaeschke

, Guyatt

, and Sackett

(1994). ‘User's guide to the medical literature. III. How to use an article about a diagnostic test. Are the results of the study valid?’ Journal of the American Medical Association 271(5)389–391

Kirwan

, Tooth

, and Harkin

(2002). ‘Compliance with hand therapy programs: therapists’ and patients’ perspectives’ Journal of Hand Therapy 15(1):31–40

MacDermid

(2004). ‘An introduction to evidence-based practice for hand therapists’ Journal of Hand Therapy 17(2)105–117

Pratt

(2004). ‘Is eight weeks immobilisation of the DIP joint adequate treatment for acute closed mallet finger injuries of the hand? A critical review of the literature’ British Journal of Hand Therapy 9(1)4–10

10.

Rumsey

, Clarke

, White

, and Hooper

(2003). ‘Investigating the Appearance related concerns of People with Hand Injuries’ British Journal of Hand Therapy 8(2): 57–61

11.

Sackett

, Rosenberg

, and Gray

JAM

(1996). ‘Evidence-based practice: what it is and what it isn't’ British Medical Journal 312: 71–72

12.

Schön

(1983), The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. Basic Books, London

13.

Schön

(1987). Educating the Reflective Practitioner. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco

14.

Steward

(Ed) (2004). Effectiveness bulletin on tendon injuries. British Association of Hand Therapists, London (www.handherapy.co.uk)

Getting Evidence into Hand Therapy Practice

Abstract

Get full access to this article

References