Evidence-based practice is the buzzword of policy makers, managers and practitioners alike and yet there is confusion as to what it actually means and how it should be implemented in practice. One difficulty arises from the inherent tension between theories derived from research (particularly large-scale clinical trials) and practice based upon the needs of individuals. In this opinion piece, data from the authors' own research are used to advocate an alternative model of evidence-based practice, which recognises the value of multiple sources of evidence and which is congruent with occupational therapy philosophy.
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