A few thoughts on evidence in social work

The purpose of this article is to place evidence-based practice within its wider scholarly contexts and draw lessons from the experiences of other professions that are engaged in implementing it. The analysis is based primarily on evidence-based medicine, the parent discipline of evidence-based practice, but the author also draws on evidencebased nursing and evidence-based social work in the United Kingdom. It was found that the experiences of other practice professions have a great deal to offer social work practice. Similar to medicine, nursing, and our British colleagues, U.S. social work practice will benefit from increased research activity, more widespread availability of reviews of research, on-line resources, and many more training opportunities. Similar to nursing administrators, social work administrators have the responsibility to allow social work practitioners the time and training to become familiar with research relevant to their practice.

Research on Social …, 2009

The implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) as a professional model of practice for social work has been suggested as one approach to support informed clinical decision making. However, different barriers and processes have been identified that ...

tracywharton.com

2009

Evidence-based practice is a subject fraught with controversy within social work circles but the debates it engenders are enriching and worthwhile for a profession like social work which prides itself on its value-driven, ethical practice. We have debated the issues among ourselves and have explored all sides of the debate, at times, bogged down in a quagmire and at other times liberated by the new ideas these debates unleashed. And certain people have been an invaluable catalyst and support along the way. We would especially like to thank all those people who so willingly responded to our requests for information and clarification and would like to mention in particular . They, along with many others cited in this book, have made an invaluable contribution to contemporary ideas about evidence-based social work and its workability or not. Even its staunchest advocates are seriously grappling with issues of translation and implementation and how to increase the uptake of evidence-based social work by human service agencies, including managers and

2009

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a relatively recent incarnation in social work's long history of valuing evidence as a basis for practice. Few argue with the ethics and usefulness of grounding practice in empirically tested interventions. Critics of EBP instead focus on how it is defined and implemented. Critiques include what counts as evidence, who makes decisions regarding research agendas and processes, and the lack of attention to context. This essay reflects on such critiques and suggests that social work, as a profession that values human diversity, equality, and self-determination, is well situated to shed light on such debates about EBP. As a profession that supports a person-in-environment perspective, we must examine not only the theory but the practice of EPB in academic, institutional, and societal settings. It is also argued that, owing to our professional mission, it is not enough to acknowledge the risk of oppression and harm; we are obligated to take them seriously and include such potential for harm in our assessment of so-called best practices. Keywords: Evidence-based practice, Social work ethics, Social work profession, Standards of Evidence, Social work values, Research, Research Ethics

PRAXIS, 2007

Evidence-based practice (EBP) continues to be a widely debated and tentatively accepted movement in social work. Although there is a great deal of discussion of evidence-based practice within the professional literature, mainstream social work seems to be generally unaltered by this movement. This paper explores the history and evolution of social work knowledge development and the relationship between social work knowledge and practice in the context of the evidence-based practice movement. Evidence-based practice can be a useful framework to guide social work toward meeting the challenges of the profession, more effectively helping our clients and being better positioned to confront social problems. Adopting evidence-based practice will not be easy; there are a number of challenges, implications and choices that need to be considered. Critically considering evidence-based practice in the field of social work will put us in a better position to evaluate how we practice, and challenge us to do better.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) continues to be a widely debated and tentatively accepted movement in social work. Although there is a great deal of discussion of evi-dence-based practice within the professional literature, mainstream social work seems to be generally unaltered by this movement. This paper explores the history and evolution of social work knowledge development and the relationship between social work knowledge and practice in the context of the evidence-based practice movement. Evidence-based practice can be a useful framework to guide social work toward meeting the challenges of the profession, more effectively helping our clients and being better positioned to confront social problems. Adopting evidence-based practice will not be easy; there are a number of challenges, implications and choices that need to be considered. Critically considering evidence-based practice in the field of social work will put us in a better position to evaluate how we practice, and challe...

2012

 Summary: This article reports on a large survey of Australian Social Workers regarding their attitudes to evidence-based practice and their thoughts on the factors affecting its implementation in human service organisations.  Findings: Findings from a national survey of Australian social workers found a degree of support for evidence-based practice (EBP) with the majority of respondents reporting changes in practice due to the influence of research. A sample size of 364 social workers formed the basis of the final analysis.  Both the support for EBP and the reported changes in practice due to new evidence was highest among social workers in management positions and those with between 10 and 30 years of post-qualifying practice experience. The survey also found, however an unsophisticated understanding of evidence and EBP and 'inadequate' skills in the critical appraisal of research.  Applications: Despite the level of support for EBP, responses to open-ended

Using an example, or examples, with which you are particularly familiar, critically discuss the following: Social work is now catching up with its EBP but some still disagree about its value in social work practice- Arthur Gwagwa In critically discussing the above hypothesis, this essay evaluates cross-cultural and cross -disciplinary literature with a particular emphasis on social work, whilst specific examples are drawn from statutory adult mental health. In the course of the discussion, the emergence of EBP in medicine from North America and its tentative reception into social work in the late nineties is critically discussed. Its subsequent watersheds are evaluated and chronicled. Particular emphasis is paid to its cross-jurisdictional uneven and asymmetrical growth as well as its adoption and adaptation to local cultural conditions. The skeptism, methodological tensions, conceptual issues, barriers and promoters that have been on its route are critically examined. Attention is also given to the extent to which it has diffused into both cross -cultural social work policy and practice. Through a critical evaluation of reviewed literature, this essay aims both to establish a consensual academic baseline, and examine the points of and reasons for dissension whilst at the same time heralding tentative cross-cultural future trends. To that end much reliance is put on the leading works in this area as fully set out in the appended annotated bibliography. The essay concludes that although reviewed literature advance different views of EBP, taken together, they all provide a balanced baseline that EBP is currently in inception stage in social work practice. Whilst the social work task force report (DOH, 2009) provides a political and policy contextual framework within which EBP could sit and take strength, it is too early to express optimism. However, the fact that EBP has been adopted at policy level will fundamentally affect practice (Gray et al, 2009). It should be debated further rather than prematurely dismissed because its potential benefits outweigh objections to it (Gibbs & Gambrill, 2002). From reviewed literature it is apparent that EBP is currently being used to shape policies mainly by western governments especially in light of the current competitive economic climate (Gray et al, 2009). For example, Stanhope & Solomon (2008) highlight how scientific approaches have been driving the benchmarking and modernisation of public services in the UK and the Mental Health reform in the USA. Despite some misgivings about it, EBP is part of a wider movement to generate uniformity and quality control by streamlining processes in major world economies and appears to be sitting well with the current UK welfare to workfare agenda (Webber, 2008).