Examining the research-practice gap in the therapy professions

This report provides both a descriptive and analytical account of how occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech & language therapists use research findings in their work. Occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech & language therapy came to prominence during the two world wars. They have grown steadily in response to the needs of an ageing population, the limitations of medicine to assist those with chronic and degenerative disease and the current popularity of community care policy. These occupations are undergoing a process of professionalisation in an attempt to improve both their professional status and autonomy from medical control, the development of a knowledge base through research is a key strategy in achieving these aims (Friedson 1971, Eraut 1994). Thus initiatives at a professional level to promote research within the therapy professions have coincided with recent policy directives aimed at creating an evidence based health service (DOH 1991) resulting in both professional and policy agendas encouraging professionals to adopt an ‘evidence based’ approach. Although the topic of research and practice has become more prominent following the publication of Research for Health (1991) empirical research has focussed primarily on the medical profession. This study aims to explore the use therapists make of research in their every day practice.