International Science Community Association Research Journal of Recent Sciences 2277 - 2502 3 10 2014 October 2 Iranian Occupational Therapists Knowledge and Experiences about Evidence-Based Practice 53 58 EN A. Kiran 1 Department of Management Sciences, Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Institute of Science andTechnology, (SZABIST) Islamabad Campus, PAKISTAN Khan M.A. 2 Hemmatipour Mohammad 1 Islamic Azad University, Germi branch, Ardabil, IRAN Javidzade HamidReza 2 Germi Branch, Ardabil, IRAN Fani Reza 3 Khosrotabar Azadeh 1 Shiraz University, IRAN Fakhrahmad SeyedMostafa 2 S. Fazelian 1 Health Care Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, IRAN N. Namazi 2 Research Committee, Faculty of Nutrition, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, IRAN J. Heshmati 3 Jafari Hamed 1 Master of Physical Education and Sports Science, Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IRAN Hadavi SeyedehFarideh 2 Islamshahr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, IRAN Vashmehsaraei MehrshadNasiri 1 Master of Executive Management, Alborz, IRAN Vahedi Elham 2 Department of Executive Master of Business Administration, Alborz, IRAN Shirian Abbas 3 Department of Management and Global Economy, Instroct Scientific Applied Training Center, Tehran, IRAN Jaganathan GaneshK. 1 Institute of Biothermal Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, CHINA Baolin Liu 2 Laleh Lajevardi 1 Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IRAN Afsoon HassaniMehraban 2 Dept. of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Rehabilitation Research Center, Iran Uni. of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IRAN RassafianiMehdi 3 Dept. of Occupational Therapy, Pediatric Neuro Rehabilitation Research Center, Uni. of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sci., Tehran, IRAN Kamali Mohammad 4 Department of Rehabilitation Management, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IRAN G O'Toole 5 University of Newcastle, AUSTRALIA > Research Paper 2014 4 22 2014 October 2 Although Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and Research Utilization (RU) were introduced to occupational therapy more than two decades ago, no research has been published which specifically identifies its use by occupational therapists in Iran. This study explores the knowledge and experiences of EBP among occupational therapists working in Iran. A qualitative study using semi structured interviews was employed with eleven occupational therapists. Purposeful sampling was used based on the participants’ abilities to contribute relevant information on using the evidence in their own practice. Participants were requested to describe their own perceptions of EBP and experiences of using evidence in their therapy.The findings identified two broad categories including knowledge of EBP, and, factors that influenced introduction of EBP and research utilization in therapy. The results indicated that the participants held divergent definitions of evidence and EBP. Their perceptions varied by their qualifications. Furthermore, their use of research was influenced by educational and personal factors. There are some factors which could be useful to ensure that optimal services are provided for clients according to current research evidence in occupational therapy, including: complementary education related to research skills, and, organizational support in relation to accessing information and relevant databases. Copyright@ International Science Community Association