What is evidence-based practice? Research Evidence | Social work paradise (2023)

Does all this sound easy?

Well, evidence-based practice is more complicated.

Because in evidence-based practice, you must also take the best interests of the individual into account.

There's alsoDilemma the Ethicalthat may arise, preliminary decisions that may prevent certain actions and individual decisions that may be considered imprudent.

How to deal with ethical dilemmas

This is how you avoid getting bogged down in capability assessments.

What is evidence-based practice in social work?

Evidence-based practice (EBP) originated in the medical field in relation to drug testing and related interventions (Webber, 2015).

The process involves professionals carefully combining current evidence with clinical experience, ethics, client preferences, and professional judgment to guide and inform treatment and service delivery (Aveyard & Sharp, 2013).

It involves the use of relevant, comprehensive, transparent judgment and good practice to inform social work interventions based on the needs, values ​​and desires of service users.

This article will critically assess what constitutes evidence in social work practice..

In addressing this topic, evidence-based practice (EBP) and the ways in which research and evidence influence practice are discussed.

It will highlight the value of evidence in advancing social work policy and practice.

Social theory, practical wisdom, and service user experience are discussed in the EBP.

Finally, it highlights what makes EBP difficult, such as: B. Policy, management and diversity issues.

Evidence in evidence-based practice

We can define evidence as structured research presented to support a claim (Mathews & Crawford, 2011).

It ensures that the status of social work in the interprofessional setting is enhanced when it can show reasons for action or inaction (Webber, 2015).

Aveyard and Sharp (2013) share similar views, emphasizing that social workers are accountable under the law and are increasingly being called upon to argue in court with concrete evidence to justify a course of action, particularly in child protection cases. .

The ability to use evidence to inform practice is also a requirement for social workers to register with Social Work England.

What is considered evidence-based practice?

The most common form of evidence referred to when discussing EBP is emerging research evidence (Barker, 2010).

Social work research can be defined as the use of research techniques to solve problems faced by social workers in the context of tasks, and is classified into research (qualitative and quantitative) and non-research evidence (practical knowledge) ( Aveyard & Sharp, 2013). ) .

A major disadvantage is that bias is a major obstacle for a researcher to achieve credibility and accuracy (Pack & Cargill, 2015).

BUTIn addition to empirical materials, various research methods can be used, allowing researchers to deal with intrinsic biases that result from specific research methods (Bryman, 2015).

If mixed methods are used, this can also help provide the possibility of triangulation, a method of validating information collected by different methods (Hussein, 2015; Bryman, 2015).

While studies by Gray and Webb (2012) suggest that an essential element of reliable evidence is that it be unbiased, systematic, and independent, Webber (2015) argues that evidence is rarely absolutely reliable, and there are notable cases where has been found to be imperfect. .

For example, in the initial assessment, there was a strong emphasis on 'seeing the child' (Munro, 2008). However, some reputable case review surveys and public consultations have clearly demonstrated practitioner shortcomings in this regard (Ayre, 1998; Calder, 2015; Smith, 2009).

This was further highlighted in the case of baby Peter Connelly, where the parents used tactics to prevent the doctor from observing the child (NICE, 2016; Local Safeguarding Children Board Haringey, 2009; Munro, 2006a, 2008b).

What are the different test forms in the EBP?

It is important to note that different forms of evidence can be used for different purposes.

For example, if evidence of service user experience is required, then quantitative research, such as randomized controlled trials (RCTs), is not appropriate, but research conducted with a qualitative approach, such as online interviews, is more appropriate. depth (Patton, 2002).

Payne, Seymour, and Ingleton (2008) also share similar views, emphasizing that while RCT may be appropriate for healthcare, it may not apply to social work practice.

This is because the evidence from this research is situational and this leads to problematic relationships between the evidence collected and social work practice (Aveyard & Sharp, 2013).

For example, a methodologically rigorous RCT study found that children in kinship care perform better than children in foster care (Kerr, Nixon, Pinkerton, & Houston, 1999).

While this appears to be a perfectly acceptable and problem-free finding, it does not mean that placing a particular child with the grandmother is successful or even better than placing the child with another caregiver.

This was demonstrated in the case of Victoria Climbie, where she was a victim of abuse by close relatives (Garret, 2006; Rustin, 2004).

Social work as practical moral activity

EBP in social work is a controversial field, seen by some as a rational-technical activity and by others as a practical-moral activity.

Social work, viewed as a moral-practical activity, involves practitioners incorporating elements of arts and crafts by providing specialized care and assistance, combined with the application of disciplined reasoning rather than the application of research concepts and insights (Rogowski , 2010). .

However, looking at social work practice from this perspective suggests sharing different perspectives when working with children and families in child protection. It also involves considering how best to intervene in situations where the best interests of the child are paramount (Soydan, 2014).

Thompson (2016) argues that this method identifies that social work professionals and service users have their own morals and values ​​that can impact approaches to protect child labour.

For example, a social worker may have strong opinions on cases related to resource allocation, leading to distorted approaches to assessment, intervention, and decision-making.

Despite these shortcomings, Park and Cargill (2015) argue that the practice of social work is a practical moral activity. An idea that suggests that EBP in social work can lead to positive results when building relationships with service users.

Here is the importance of human relations in social work

Professionals seek to understand each service user as an individual, acknowledging their concerns and encouraging participation.

Ruch, Turney, and Ward (2010) share similar views, emphasizing that participatory initiatives lead to a redistribution of power and equal relationships. However, Beresford and Carr (2012) believe that this gives the wrong picture of power transmission. One way to address this problem is to encourage person-centred approaches.

Social service as a rational technical activity

Social work EBP as a rational-technical activity focuses on EBP that relies primarily on process, scientific study, and theory/modeling to improve decision-making (Thompson, 2016).

This notion suggests that the practice of social work should be based on reliable methods derived from systematic studies.

For example, Bowlby's (1988) attachment theory might fit into this activity because it is used as a model to guide social workers in decision-making when working with children and families.

Bowlby's (1988) attachment theory provides the basis and context for social workers to assess the best interests of the child, as it classifies different patterns of behavior and relationships (Maclean & Harrison, 2015).

Why is attachment theory useful for social work practice?

Those who work with children rely primarily on attachment theory to make some decisions, as it helps them understand the importance of developing intimate relationships.

Likewise, Cassidy and Shaver (1999) agree that attachment theory has brought about significant changes in child care, adoption, and adoption, where it has helped social workers separate abused children from their caregivers.

However, research in this area is limited, but has found that children exposed to abuse and neglect fall into a category where the threshold for developing insecure attachments with their caregiver is high, leading to increased risk of driving while driving. development of irregularities in caregiver attachment (Howe, 2009).

Despite the strengths of attachment theory, some authors have pointed out some limitations.

Goldberg (2013) suggests that early attachment promotes infant development but does not dictate later development. Hart (2011) shares similar views, noting that attachment theory underestimates the degree to which people can repair themselves because it ignores the individual's ability to stabilize and their search for independence.

However, Shemmings and Shemmings (2011) argue that early attachment, along with other influences, contributes significantly in later years. Therefore, social workers can use this information as a guide when deciding and planning interventions for children and families, with an emphasis on enabling secure attachments.

Following the passage of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into UK law, the Children's Act 1989 came into force to bring together various laws (Tassoni, 2007).

Mensaje Laming

After Victoria Climbie's death in 2000, the recommendations of the Laming Report were incorporated into the government's Green Paper All Children Matter.

The Green Paper also emphasized that the government's intention is to protect children and maximize their potential by placing children at the center of its policies (Hoyle, 2016). Subsequently, the Children's Act 2004 was passed to implement this scheme in England.

In social work, our unconscious beliefs and values ​​influence our decision making. Therefore, when making decisions, we can be more understanding with a hearing impaired child, because he cannot be held responsible for his circumstances, than with a child who has been expelled from school for his behavior.

However, time frames such as the Common Assessment Framework (CAF) can be used to prioritize and measure progress, thereby improving outcomes for children (Yardley, 2014).

CAF is widely used in early detection, needs assessment and intervention, often in child protection (Social Care Online, 2016). It uses personalized services that identify the strengths and weaknesses of the child, taking into account the best interests of the child (Asmussen, 2011).

A study by Thorpe, Regan, Mason, and May-Chahal (2007) concluded that CAF can provide a path forward and make every child matter as they begin to build relationships. In this context, relationships are seen as resources that facilitate conversations about how things might be different or different for children and families.

For example, Dale's (2004) qualitative study of 18 families showed the importance of relational work. It was found that a relationship of trust with the child and family members was conceived as a positive intervention.

This would make it possible to target support in the most efficient way and include interventions based on strengths.

What can get in the way of evidence-based practice (EBP)?

Politics and politics in organizations can also alter EBP, because the focus is on processes rather than results, creating a negative culture of research-based practice (Aveyard & Sharp, 2013).

The importance of complying with these policies and guidelines limits the opportunities for innovation. Furthermore, Rubin and Babbie (2010) argue that, at the individual level, rigid adherence to EBP approaches can undermine professional experience and relationship-building expertise.

However, EBP involves integrating professional knowledge and, as ethics and values ​​underpin social work approaches, this means that we need to explore the issues involved from the perspective of service users and in a way that they can understand and participate in ( Banks, 2012).

Since social work seeks to overcome the barriers to discrimination and prejudices that are prevalent in society, it is essential that EBP strive to understand the needs and characteristics of service users in order to promote the efficient use of limited resources and reduce the costs of the authorities and society. (Littlechild and Payne, 1999).

EBP Social Work seeks to explore the needs of individual or group diversity to ensure that everyone's needs, problems, desires and demands are understood and attended to in the best possible way (Webber, 2015).

However, diversity issues, such as bias, can hinder EBP. Categorizing individuals or families, for example, can be overwhelming and destructive, as research on domestic violence and child abuse shows (Coulshed & Orme, 2012).

Therefore, it is important not to generalize about families based on diversity, but to try to understand how that particular family works in order to obtain effective results.

before you leave

The survey results form the cornerstone of the social worker's knowledge base, with reflective practice being an essential aspect.

There is no point in presenting evidence in this way unless we have consistent and up-to-date research. Theories and models support practice, and practical wisdom is enhanced through carefully planned reflection and observation.

To combat some of the limitations of EBP, a variety of evaluation tools can be applied to a research engagement to determine its robustness and the effectiveness of the results and interventions in practice.

Supervision can also be used for reflection and emotional support. Sites like Community Care can be used to keep knowledge up to date.

KEEP READING

The importance of human relations in social work

Dealing with ethical dilemmas

How to avoid getting stuck on skill ratings.

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