Validation of the Evidence-Based Practice Confidence (EPIC) Scale With Occupational Therapists.

Objective: This study evaluated the reliability, minimal detectable change (MDC), and construct validity of the Evidence-Based Practice Confidence (EPIC) scale among occupational therapists.

Method: In a cross-sectional mail survey, 126 occupational therapists completed the EPIC scale and a questionnaire to provide data for validity testing. Seventy-nine occupational therapists (63%) completed a second EPIC scale a median of 24 days later.

Results: Test-retest reliability was .92 (95% confidence interval [.88, .95]). The MDC values at the 90% and 95% confidence levels were 3.9 percentage points and 4.6 percentage points, respectively. The total EPIC score was significantly associated with holding a master's or doctoral degree; education in evidence-based practice (EBP); higher EBP knowledge and skill; and frequently searching, reading, and using research findings in clinical decision making (p < .05).

Conclusion: The EPIC scale has excellent reliability and acceptable construct validity for use in evaluating EBP self-efficacy among occupational therapists.