title: Results of a School-Based Evidence-Based Practice Initiative.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effects of a 17-mo initiative designed to increase practitioners' knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice (EBP) in the schools.
  
  
  METHODS
  We evaluated participants' EBP knowledge and skills at pretest and posttest using the Adapted Fresno Test (AFT) and collected their perceptions through a survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants demonstrated significant improvements in their EBP knowledge and skills after participating in this initiative as measured by changes in AFT scores. A significant difference was noted in scores between pretest (μ=43.9, SD=32.67) and posttest (μ=74.66, SD=33.99), t(28)=-5.645, p<.001.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This initiative was influential in increasing school-based practitioners' EBP knowledge and skills.
authors.affiliation: Susan M. Cahill, PhD, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL; scahil@midwestern.edu.
authors.forename: Susan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Cahill
authors.affiliation: Brad E. Egan, OTD, MA, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL.
authors.forename: Brad E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Egan
authors.affiliation: Minetta Wallingford, DrOT, OTR/L, is Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy Program, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL.
authors.forename: Minetta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wallingford
authors.affiliation: Cheryl Huber-Lee, OTR/L, is Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Coordinator, School Association for Special Education in DuPage County, Lombard, IL.
authors.forename: Cheryl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huber-Lee
authors.affiliation: Margret Dess-McGuire, OTR/L, is Lead Occupational Therapist, School Association for Special Education in DuPage County, Lombard, IL.
authors.forename: Margret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dess-McGuire
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000193:education*; D012572:School Health Services; D013192:Staff Development / Q000379:methods*