Hello, I am writing an essay on EBP if anyone can write points on the role that EBP plays in social work i would be very grateful. I have been researching and i couldn't find any decent information anywhere.
Gray, M., Joy, E., Plath, D., & Webb, S. A. (2013). Implementing evidence-based practice: A review of the empirical research literature. Research on Social Work Practice, 23(2), 157-166.
Gray, M., Joy, E., Plath, D., & Webb, S. A. (2014). Opinions about evidence: A study of social workers’ attitudes towards evidence-based practice. Journal of Social Work, 14(1), 23-40.
Gray, M., Joy, E., Plath, D., & Webb, S. A. (2015). What supports and impedes evidence-based practice implementation? A survey of Australian social workers. British Journal of social work, 45(2), 667-684.
Bellamy, J. L., Mullen, E. J., Satterfield, J. M., Newhouse, R. P., Ferguson, M., Brownson, R. C., & Spring, B. (2013). Implementing evidence-based practice education in social work: A transdisciplinary approach. Research on social work practice, 23(4), 426-436.
Pope, N. D., Rollins, L., Chaumba, J., & Risler, E. (2011). Evidence-based practice knowledge and utilization among social workers. Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work, 8(4), 349-368.
This is by one of the authors of the above - quite old now, and I haven't seen the full text:
Gambrill, E. (1999). Evidence-based practice: An alternative to authority-based practice. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services, 80(4), 341-350.
Howard, M. O., McMillen, C. J., & Pollio, D. E. (2003). Teaching evidence-based practice: Toward a new paradigm for social work education. Research on Social Work Practice, 13(2), 234-259.
I think the others have given you lots of reading, so I won't give you any more. However, it is important to note that social work practice has been quite slow to uptake EBP in practice. This is because EBP is often regarded as a concept that is embedded in scientific principles - and behaviour, it is argued by some, cannot be assessed by these principles, particularly when we take into account free will.
Personally, I feel there is definitely a role for EBP in social work practice - but the extent to this is key.
In forensic psychology, there are a number of different tools that are used to assist practitioners. Some of these are developed from a a large study from which statistics and probabilities are calculated. This is called the actuarial tool. A second tool, is developed from the literature but also includes professional judgement. This is called structured professional judgement - the tool provides the structure and a list of the important factors that need to be considered - the practitioner however, always has the latitude to add any case specific factors into the assessment and hence the important role of professional judgement.
So, in essence I would approach your essay not from a binary (yes/no) perspective, but rather from a 'to what extent perspective'.
I hope this helps!
(PS - I have also written articles on how SPJ is more congruent to the way our brain makes decisions as well as the importance of EBP and professional judgement in child protection practice). If you can't find these articles, please let me know and I can send them to you.
It can change our entire service delivery system in that social workers are providing services that have an evidence-base (or effectiveness) behind these programs. Look up implementation science in social work.