101436: A Practitioner's Application and Deconstruction of Evidence-Based Practice

About the Course:

A clinical decision-making process, evidence-based practice is designed to assist practitioners and clients choose together from a range of treatment options, preferably ones that have been empirically validated through randomized clinical trials. The article offers a discussion of the application of evidence-based practice from a practitioner’s point of view. It raises questions concerning the effectiveness of the client-oriented evidence search and literature review protocol that guide the operationalization of problems and clients. It offers suggestions about additional variables to include in the standardized protocol that may enhance the application of evidence-based practice and presents an exploration of the collaborative decision-making process from a practice perspective. Finally, it draws a conclusion about the use of the process in clinical settings. COURSE SYLLABUS I What Is Evidence-Based Practice? II Application of Evidence-Based Practice III Operationalization of the Client IV Operationalization of the Problem V Variables That Should Be Included in the Literature Search VI Questioning Evidence-Based Practice Collaboration VII Client Preferences and Actions VIII Evidence-Based Practice Questions Considered

Publication Date:

2008/Vol. 89, No. 3

Author

J. Christopher Hall, MSSW, PhD

About the Author:

Assistant professor, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for social workers, counselors, psychologists, and other human services and behavioral health professionals who seek knowledge about evidence-based practice. It is appropriate for participants with introductory to intermediate levels of knowledge about the topic.

Course Objectives:

1. Examine ways in which evidence-based practice may be unusable in the clinical context.

2. Examine ways in which the application of evidence-based practice can be enhanced to better serve clients.

3. Explore the benefits and limitations of employing evidence-based practice with clients.