In other words, the outcomes are relatively consistent and can be predicted. This facilitates the care that occupational therapists are able to give, as the outcomes are provided by clinical trial research.
More indirectly, clinical trial outcomes provide the profession as a whole with a sense of validity; providing it with a stronger image in the eyes of the general public as well as clients themselves. This increased confidence in the profession will perpetuate not only its efficacy, but also the possibilities of applying successfully for funding to conduct further clinical trials.
Another advantage of clinical trials are for recipients of care themselves. Occupational therapists might for example choose a certain type of client to participate in a clinical trial for the improvement of his or her problem. Such clients can then also have access to therapies that are not yet widely available while being assured of the knowledge that they are contributing to the well-being of others searching for help in a specific area.
Finally, clinical trials in occupational therapy help to advance the...
National Institutes of Health). By means of such trials, the profession grows in its collective knowledge and skills, increasing the ability of therapists to provide their clients with the help that they need.
In conclusion, occupational therapy is a very important profession, as it provides people from all areas and stages of life with assistance to live to the best of their ability and resources. Hence, it is very important to conduct more clinical trials in order to obtain more empirical knowledge for the efficacy and validity of the profession.
References
Sperling, R. (2009). Gray matters: Clinical Trials. Retrieved from: www.dana.org/WorkArea/downloadasset.aspx?id=19738
US National Institutes of Health. (2007). Understanding Clinical Trials. Retrieved from: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/info/understand
Unsworth, C. (2000). Measuring the outcome of occupational therapy: Tools and resources. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal, no. 47.
