Abstract
This research note presents findings from a study that sought to garner a better understanding of the way in which practicing social workers defined Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). As part of a larger quantitative study, 137 social work practitioners provided a definition for EBP through an online survey and indicated the extent to which they: consider themselves an evidence-based practitioner; believe practitioners should apply EBP in social work; and were prepared through their social work education to use EBP. Content analysis of the practitioners’ definitions of EBP revealed that the majority of respondents described EBP as an intervention or a product versus a process. Regardless of the definition that was provided, descriptive statistics revealed practitioners reported on average that they identified somewhat as an evidence-based practitioner, believed that practitioners should apply EBP in practice moderately to always, and felt only moderately prepared by their social work education for EBP. The findings suggest an opportunity in social work education may exist to further reinforce the process of EBP to delineate it from the evidence-based interventions that may also be taught, especially in clinical programs. Dissemination may also need to occur through mandated continuing education hours, much like ethics has been added as a requirement in some states.
Highlights
This research note presents findings from a study that sought to garner a better understanding of the way in which practicing social workers defined Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)
Evidence-based practice (EBP) in social work has been defined in various ways, but the most widely accepted definition originated from evidence-based medicine, which describes it as “the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and [client] values” (Sackett, Straus, Richardson, Rosenberg, & Hayes, 2000, p. 1)
This process of engaging in EBP is different from EBP as a method or product, often referred to as empirically validated treatments, empirically supported treatments, or evidence-based interventions (EBI), which are specific interventions found to be effective, or “evidence-based,” and have established protocols for their implementation (McLaughlin & Teater, 2017; Tuten, Morris-Compton, Abrefa-Gyan, Hwang, & Harrington, 2016; Williams & Sherr, 2013)
Summary
This research note presents findings from a study that sought to garner a better understanding of the way in which practicing social workers defined Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). EBP is often described as consisting of five stages that the social worker works through (not necessarily in a linear fashion), which consists of the following: (a) formulate a well-structured answerable question to address a practice need; (b) search the best available evidence to answer the question; (c) critically assess and evaluate the evidence for its validity, impact, and applicability to the situation; (d) integrate the evidence with clinical expertise and judgment and client wishes, values, and circumstances; and (e) evaluate the process of conducting steps 1 – 4 as well as the outcome of the intervention (Gibbs & Gambrill, 2002; Jayne, 2014; Sackett et al, 2000) This process of engaging in EBP is different from EBP as a method or product, often referred to as empirically validated treatments, empirically supported treatments, or evidence-based interventions (EBI), which are specific interventions found to be effective, or “evidence-based,” and have established protocols for their implementation (McLaughlin & Teater, 2017; Tuten, Morris-Compton, Abrefa-Gyan, Hwang, & Harrington, 2016; Williams & Sherr, 2013). A practitioner can be knowledgeable and possess skills in a certain practice area, but still consider that particular approach for treatment with this client to be inappropriate or not applicable due to the client’s circumstances, values, and/or wishes
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
