In this solo episode of Occupied, Dr Jessica Levick reflects on her PhD journey and explores what evidence-based practice really means for occupational therapists.

Why does it take an average of 17 years for research to reach routine clinical practice? Why does strong evidence alone fail to change systems? And what responsibility do clinicians hold in translating knowledge into real-world care?

Drawing from her experience as a mental health occupational therapist and researcher, Jessica discusses:

• The identity shift from clinician to researcher
• The realities of academic publishing
• What evidence-based practice actually involves (beyond “just using research”)
• Why she chose to undertake a PhD
• The gap between research and implementation

This episode challenges the idea that research belongs only in academia. Instead, it reframes evidence-based practice as an ethical responsibility shared by all clinicians.

You don’t need a PhD to be evidence-informed — but you do need curiosity.

If you’ve ever questioned whether what we say about occupation aligns with what we fund, measure, or prioritise in health systems, this episode is for you.

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Host: Dr Jessica Levick

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