title: Increasing knowledge of best practices for occupational therapists treating post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect: results of a knowledge-translation intervention study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate: (i) the feasibility of delivering a multi-modal knowledge translation intervention specific to the management of acute post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect; and (ii) the impact of the knowledge translation intervention on occupational therapists' knowledge of evidence-based unilateral spatial neglect problem identification, assessment and treatment, and self-efficacy related to evidence-based practice implementation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 3-period (pre-post) repeated measures design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Acute care occupational therapists treating patients with post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect were recruited from two major Canadian cities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants completed two pre-intervention assessments, took part in a day-long interactive multi-modal knowledge translation intervention and a subsequent 8-week follow-up, and completed a post-intervention assessment. Knowledge of evidence-based problem identification, assessment and treatment of unilateral spatial neglect, and self-efficacy to perform evidence-based practice activities were measured using standard scales.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The intervention was tested on 20 occupational therapists. Results indicate a significant improvement in knowledge of best practice unilateral spatial neglect management (p < 0.000) and evidence-based practice self-efficacy in carrying out evidence-based practice activities (p < 0.045) post-intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of a multi-modal knowledge translation intervention is feasible and can significantly improve occupational therapists' knowledge of unilateral spatial neglect best practices and self-efficacy. The findings should help advance best practices specific to the management of post-stroke unilateral spatial neglect as well as informing knowledge translation studies in other areas of practice.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. anita.petzold@mail.mcgill.ca
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petzold
authors.forename: Nicol
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Korner-Bitensky
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Salbach
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: Anita
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menon
authors.forename: Tatiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ogourtsova
mesh_terms: D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D010468:Perceptual Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical