As a future CTRS, I find the greatest issue in our field are people not knowing or understanding the value of recreational therapy, having the same supportive research and plethora of information that PT/OT has will advance recreational therapy into the mainstream. I find starting with research will create a “ripple effect” of better things to come for the field of RT/TR.
Overview:
I find starting with research will lay the necessary groundwork for RT/TR to become a well-known and widely used therapy just like PT and OT are. Our field has not been around as long as the other therapies, which is why it is extremely important for us as practitioners to avoid the feeling of “research is viewed as an ‘add-on’ to practice” (Thomas, Research in …show more content…
A very common barrier to research is the lack of resources including time and money (Stumbo, 2009). Conducting research takes time, which some practitioners have very little of in between caring for clientele. This causes the barrier Stumbo noted as “lack of institutional/administrative support” (2009). The lack of administrators helping conduct research from the lack of time they have can affect the reliability of the conclusions found. Having senior administrators and institutional support can help your research become credible to ensure little to no mistakes were made. Research can also cost money to gather the necessary things needed to carry out a professional research experiment such as research assistants, materials and space needed, etc.; Lots of money that a new CTRS with student loan debt may not have. Another identified con is the statistics may be difficult if the researchers are uninformed of the computerized programs used to make the types of analyses needed to form conclusions. A final con is the “lack of competence and confidence” (Stumbo, 2009). I feel this can be combated if administrators and institutions support researchers because the exposure to conducting research can help them feel confident and competent in conducting necessary research to advance our field into the mainstream. “Both researchers and clinicians have an obligation to work together toward the goal of best practice for all patients we encounter” (Snethen, 2013). Practitioners should understand that if they can implement interventions with their clients, they possess the power to conduct research. While most focus on the cons, it will be imperative as a future CTRS to advocate the pros of conducting
Overview:
I find starting with research will lay the necessary groundwork for RT/TR to become a well-known and widely used therapy just like PT and OT are. Our field has not been around as long as the other therapies, which is why it is extremely important for us as practitioners to avoid the feeling of “research is viewed as an ‘add-on’ to practice” (Thomas, Research in …show more content…
A very common barrier to research is the lack of resources including time and money (Stumbo, 2009). Conducting research takes time, which some practitioners have very little of in between caring for clientele. This causes the barrier Stumbo noted as “lack of institutional/administrative support” (2009). The lack of administrators helping conduct research from the lack of time they have can affect the reliability of the conclusions found. Having senior administrators and institutional support can help your research become credible to ensure little to no mistakes were made. Research can also cost money to gather the necessary things needed to carry out a professional research experiment such as research assistants, materials and space needed, etc.; Lots of money that a new CTRS with student loan debt may not have. Another identified con is the statistics may be difficult if the researchers are uninformed of the computerized programs used to make the types of analyses needed to form conclusions. A final con is the “lack of competence and confidence” (Stumbo, 2009). I feel this can be combated if administrators and institutions support researchers because the exposure to conducting research can help them feel confident and competent in conducting necessary research to advance our field into the mainstream. “Both researchers and clinicians have an obligation to work together toward the goal of best practice for all patients we encounter” (Snethen, 2013). Practitioners should understand that if they can implement interventions with their clients, they possess the power to conduct research. While most focus on the cons, it will be imperative as a future CTRS to advocate the pros of conducting