1. Definitions of EBP Popular in SW
Evidence-based practice is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. Best research evidence refers to clinically relevant research, often from the basic health and medical sciences, but especially from patient-centered clinical research into the accuracy and precision of diagnostic tests (including the clinical examination); the power of prognostic markers; and the efficacy and safety of therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive regimens. Clinical expertise means the ability to use clinical skills and past experience to rapidly identify each patient’s unique health state and diagnosis, individual risks and benefits of potential interventions, and personal values and expectations. Patient values refers to the unique preferences, concerns, and expectations that each patient brings to a clinical encounter and that must be integrated into clinical decisions if they are to serve the patient. (Institute of Medicine 2000)
Evidence-based medicine has been defined as “--- the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients” (Sackett, et al., 1996, p. 71); and the "integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values" (Sackett, Straus, Richardson, Rosenberg, & Haynes, 2000, p. 1).

2. Social Work Specific EBP Definitions
Placing the client’s benefits first, evidence-based practitioners adopt a process of lifelong learning that involves continually posing specific questions of direct practical importance to clients, searching objectively and efficiently for the current best evidence relative to each question, and taking appropriate action guided by evidence. (Leonard Gibbs)

3. Columbia University Working EBP Definition
Model of life-long learning, collaboration & accountability using question-guided decision-making, critically appraising & integrating client values, social work expertise, & current research evidence.
Client Values (individual, family, group, organization, community)
Preferences, concerns, expectations
Goals & preferred course of action
Cultural, spiritual, community norms & values
Collective ideas about change & values
Perceived barriers
Expertise
Practice wisdom
Experience
Agency culture, values, practices & procedures
Professional code of ethics
Professional use of self
Relationship skills & boundary setting
Assessment & intervention skills
Research Evidence - Qualitative & Quantitative
Descriptions of client strengths & risks
Engagement
Assessment
Prevention
Treatment
Identifying barriers to EBP

4. Current Activities Campbell /Cochrane Collaboration
Society for Social Work & Research
Institute for the Advancement of Social Work Research
EBP Project
2006 National Symposium: Improving the Teaching of Evidence-Based Practice - University of Texas at Austin School of Social Work
NIMH Partnerships to Integrate Evidence Based Mental Health Practices into Social Work Education & Research April 2007
Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) contract announcement to support development of multi-media tools & strategies to train social workers in evidence-based practices &/or psychotherapies – July 2007
Rapid Inclusion in Curricula & Conferences
Brown School of Social Work, Washington University
Now many schools moving toward EBP
EBP tracks in major national conferences
Publications
Journal
Texts
CD-ROM & web-based EBP resources
DANYA International, Inc SBIR - NIMH

5. Challenges Facing EBSW
Evidence-of-effectiveness
Authority
Conflicting hierarchy
Definition of evidence
Shortage of evidence
Variation by field of practice
Inflation of evidence
Small & transient effects
Assessment validity
Nomothetic versus ideographic knowledge
Efficacy versus effectiveness
Diffusion, adoption and implementation
Policy & system level issues
Training & sustaining

6. Implementation Challenge: Many Practitioners & Schools
Over 70% of mental health personnel social workers
457 Baccalaureate Programs
179 Masters Programs
74 Doctoral Programs
Accreditation Educational Policy
Qualitative & quantitative research content provides understanding of scientific, analytic, & ethical approach to building knowledge for practice. Content prepares students to develop, use, & effectively communicate empirically based knowledge, including evidence-based interventions. Research knowledge is used by students to provide high-quality services; to initiate change; to improve practice, policy, & social service delivery; & to evaluate their own practice.