1. Evidence Based Practice Process
SWK 632
AK LEND without Walls
Friday, September 26, 2014
Mary Dallas Allen, PhD, MSW

2. Evidence Based Practices2

3. Ethical Responsibility
NASW Code of Ethics: 5.02 Evaluation & Research
(a) Monitor & evaluate policies, program implementation, and practice interventions
(b) Promote research & evaluation to contribute to knowledge base
(p) Educate themselves, their students, and their colleagues about responsible research

4. Evidence Based Practice Process
The conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of the best evidence in making decisions about human service assessment and intervention
Integrates clinical expertise and takes patient/client desires, values, and needs into consideration
(Sackett et al., 1997)
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5. Evidence Based Practice Process
Research Evidence
Practitioner Expertise
EBP
Client Attributes

6. Steps in Evidence Based Practice
Question formulation
Search for the evidence
Critically appraise the relevant studies you find – hierarchy of evidence & determine which evidence-based intervention is most appropriate for your particular client
Apply the Evidence-based intervention taking the patient’s/client’s wants / needs into consideration
Evaluation and feedback

7. Question Formulation
Question formulation – formulate a question based on what is known about a case or cases and what additional information is needed
Ask important questions about the care of individuals, communities, or populations
Challenge: Determining the level of specificity

8. Search for the evidence
Use resources to identify evidence based intervention
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality
SAMHSA’sNational Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices
SAMHSA EBP Implementation Resource Kits for Mental Health
California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare
OJJDP Model Programs Guide & Database
Cochrane Collaboration Library
Center for Evidence-Based Practice: Young Children with Challenging Behavior
CDC: The Community Guide
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9. Critically evaluate relevant studies
Two important questions:
Was treatment outcome measured in a reliable, valid, and unbiased manner?
Was the research design strong enough to indicate whether the intervention or something else explains the changes in client outcome?
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10. Research Hierarchy for EBP
Level 1 - Systematic reviews and meta-analysis of RCTs and other well-designed experiments and quasi-experiments
Level 2 - Multi-site replications of RCTs and other well-designed experiements
Level 3 – RCTs and other randomized experiments
Level 4 – Quasi-experiments
Level 5 – single case experiments
Level 6 – Correlational studies (anecdotal case reports; pretest- posttest studies without control groups; qualitative studies of client experiences during or after tx; surveys of clients or practitioners)

11. Determine the intervention most appropriate
Quality of the evidence
Are there important differences between your clients and those in the studies that produced the evidence?
Do the interventions support the values of your clients / agency – is it a good fit?
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12. Apply the EBP May need training in the intervention
Obtain readings on implementing it (treatment manuals)
Identify colleagues who might be able to support you in the intervention ( those who are experience with it)
Formulate (with the client) an individualized treatment plan that includes clear and measurable goals and integrates the context, values, and preferences of the client
Issue: fidelity to the model
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13. Evaluation
You and client will measure and evaluate progress in achieving the treatment goals
Disseminate findings
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14. Evidence Based Practice Process Resources
American Occupational Therapy Association Evidence-Based Practice Webpage:
based.aspx
American Speech-Language Hearing Association Evidence-Based Practice Webpage
Council for Exceptional Children Standards for Evidence-Based Practices in Special Education (2014)
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15. Evidence Based Practice Process Resources
American Psychological Association Evidenced-based Practice in Psychology webpage:
ndex.aspx
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