title: Utilizing research in professional practice.
abstract: A review of the rehabilitation, disability studies, and allied health literature suggests the presence of numerous factors that impede the utilization of research by practitioners. The purpose of this article is to describe these factors and offer potential solutions that could enable rehabilitation professionals to integrate research findings into their practice. Specifically, the authors recommend strategies to (a) contextualize research throughout pre-service curricula, (b) establish researcher-stakeholder partnerships, (c) increase the accessibility of research to practitioners, and (d) establish professional and peer support for implementing research in field practice.
authors.affiliation: Kent State University, Center for Disability Studies, Department of Educational Foundations and Special Services, 405 White Hall, Kent, OH 44242-0001, USA. lkoch@kent.edu
authors.forename: Lynn C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Bryan G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: Melody
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tankersley
authors.forename: Phillip
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rumrill
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D014481:United States