1. Class Two Jeff Driskell, MSW, PhD
Research In Social Work Practice Salem State University School of Social Work
Class Two
Jeff Driskell, MSW, PhD

2. Today’s class Check-in/Question Syllabus questions Announcements
Lecture
Evidence-Based Practice
Weekly Comments

3. Identify 3 uses for research…1. 2. 3.

4. Your supervisor at the social service agency you work at has asked you to be part of a committee that is organizing a way to evaluate one of your programs/interventions. During a planning meeting, a staff member asks you to help them understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative research. Explain how you would differentiate the two.

5. Evidence-Based Practice

6. Moving Forward
The lens in which you will use for this course: Evidence Based Practice Framework

7. CSWE Core Competencies

8. Evidence Based Practice Defined
In brief, what is your understanding of evidence based practice?

9. EBP Definition
“A process in which practitioners make practice decisions in light of the best research evidence available. This is an integrative model” (Rubin & Babbie, 2001) “It is a guide for thinking about how decisions are made. It acknowledges that client preferences rather than clinician’s preferences should be considered first whenever possible to do so” (Devereau & Guyatt, 2002)

10. Integrative Model Client Attributes Best Research Evidence
Evidence-Based Practice
Client Attributes
Best Research Evidence
Practitioners Expertise

11. Car Purchase….Huh?

12. EBP is based on studies of clients unlike those typically encountered in everyday sw px.
RCT tend to exclude individuals with comorbidity
RCT tend to underrepresent racial or ethnic minorities
EBP is overly restrictive codebook approach that ignores client values and preferences.
Minimized professional expertise and uses cookie cutter approach to tx
EBP is a cost cutting tool for managed care.
Qualitative data seen as offering weaker data. Places more on subjectivity in relation to quantitative studies.
Not all EPB research should focus on causality.
EBP hierarchy inappropriately devalues qualitative research
EBP is short in supply
The therapeutic alliance will be hindered.
Rigid approach based on workbook and tx manuals.
Tx outcomes are also impacted by other factors- therapuetic alliance, positive regard, warmth, empathy, adapting tx to clients stage of change.

13. Social Work Values and Ethics
What do you see as the link between EBP and the values/ethics of the social work profession?

14. Youth Villages
Give an example of how Youth Villages used research as it relates to their program.
Locate research on Evidentiary Family Restoration

15. EBP- STEPS TO SUCCESS

16. Nature of Evidence Based Practice: Client-Centered Approach
Requires critical thinking
Be active in the process, not passive
Tracking down current best available evidence
Requires understanding research designs and methods

17. Bridging the Gap- Access to Knowledge (Kirk, 1979)
Research findings should be practice relevant
Specific applications to practice should be contained in research reports
Research findings should be disseminated effectively
Practitioners should possess both the skill and the incentive to assess and change their practice bx based on research knowledge

18. Activity: Steps in EBP
Each group will be assigned two steps associated with the Evidence-Based Practice Model.
As a GROUP- discuss the purpose and actions taken in that particular step.

19. Activity: EBP Application
Each group will formulate research questions to guide your treatment decision. Create questions about effectiveness, best predictors, which assessment tools to use, and what it is like having the clients experience. (4 questions)
Case:
You are working with a 9 year old African American boy who has experienced sexual abuse and witnessed domestic violence in the home. He has been given a diagnosis of PTSD and conduct disorder.

20. Steps in Evidence-Based Practice
Step 1: Formulate a Question to Answer Practice Needs
Step 2: Search for the Evidence
Step 3: Critically Appraise the Relevant Studies You Find
Step 4: Determine Which Evidence-Based Intervention Is Most Appropriate for Your Particular Client(s)
Step 5: Apply the Evidence-Based Intervention
Step 6: Evaluation and Feedback

21. Step 1: Formulate a Question to Answer Practice Needs
Questions should:
Target practice decisions
Consider variations in client characteristics
Question formulation if one or more interventions are specified in advance: CIAO
C: client characteristics
I: intervention being considered
A: alternative intervention (if any)
O: outcome

22. Step 2: Search for the Evidence
Computerized library searches
Searches of professional literature databases
Internet search engines
Search terms
Approaches to searching:
Top-down
Bottom-up

23. Step 3: Critically Appraise the Relevant Studies You Find
Main questions for practice effectiveness studies:
Was treatment outcome measured in a reliable, valid, and unbiased manner?
Was the research design strong enough to indicate conclusively whether the intervention or something else most plausibly explains the variations in client outcomes?
Different research hierarchies for different research questions
©2011, Brooks/Cole Publishing, A Division of Cengage Learning, Inc.

24. Step 4: Determine Which Evidence-Based Intervention Is Most Appropriate for Your Particular Client(s)
Even evidence based interventions are not effective with every client or situation.
Consider:
Quality of the evidence
Client characteristics and context
Values and expectations of client
©2011, Brooks/Cole Publishing, A Division of Cengage Learning, Inc.

25. Step 5: Apply the Evidence-Based Intervention
Obtain training in the intervention and readings on how to implement the intervention including treatment manuals
Arrange for consultation or supervision
Formulate measurable treatment goals with client to aid in evaluation intervention effectiveness
©2011, Brooks/Cole Publishing, A Division of Cengage Learning, Inc.

26. Step 6: Evaluation and Feedback
Collaborative measurement and evaluation of set treatment goals
Ongoing discussion of evaluation and outcomes with client
Share what you have learned
Communicate findings with relevant colleagues
©2011, Brooks/Cole Publishing, A Division of Cengage Learning, Inc.

27. Evidence Based Practice Example
What is the problem area being addressed?
How might you use this knowledge to advance your practice with clients?
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28. …and then there were “NUTs”
Discussion of Pignotti & Thyer article:

29. Weekly Comment Review Based on the Pignotti (2009) article:
Choose one of the following interventions/programs: DARE, Scared Straight Programs, Rebirthing, or Facilitated Communication for Autism.
Provide brief description
Identify if the program/intervention is supported or not supported empirically.

30. Activity- Problem Exploration
Step 1- Identify a problem area with a specific population
Step 2- Formulate and EBP question
Step 3- Locate 2 articles to help answer your question.
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31. Evaluating Research Strategies
Questions to ask….
x (PDF link)

32. Next Week
Everyone is to locate and print out an article that involves evaluation of a program, policy or intervention.
The article should address one of the following problem areas:
Depression
Domestic violence
Aging

33. Weekly Comments Identify and describe three types of evaluation
What type of evaluation is being conducted in the Olver (2009) article?