Critical perspectives on implementation of evidence-based practice in occupational therapy – Exemplified by Lifestyle Redesign® in a Danish context

Introduction: Evidence-based practise is an increasing demand in occupational therapy, although multiple barriers can hinder the translation of research knowledge into practice. The article illuminates the transformation of results from a randomised controlled trial into a practice development project with future practice implementation in mind.
Method: A case study was carried out, consisting of a comparison of the US RCT Lifestyle Redesign® and the derived Danish practice development project.
Results: The study showed how results from RCTs of Lifestyle Redesign® were transformed into a practice development project with intentions to implement the programme in a Danish context. The modifications of the US RCT into a practice development project in Denmark compromised the study’s scientific execution. The practice development project was used to legitimise the intervention within OT locally by testing an evidence-based intervention, without using associated scientific tools and without considering barriers and facilitators for implementing the project in clinical practice.
Conclusion: Research design compromises in practice development projects may have implications for the internal and external dynamics of professionalisation processes regarding OT and the recognition of OT as a scientific discipline and an autonomous profession, nationally and internationally.