What's your evidence-based practice strategy in social work?

1 Define your question

The first step in EBP is to formulate a clear and specific question related to a client's situation, needs, and goals. This will help to focus the search for relevant and reliable evidence. A useful framework to structure the question is the PICO format, which stands for Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome. For example, a question could be: How effective is cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) compared to supportive counseling in reducing depression symptoms among older adults? Utilizing this format can assist in narrowing down the scope of the research and provide valuable insights into the desired result or change that one wants to measure or observe.

2 Search for evidence

The next step is to find and access the best available evidence that answers your question. You can use various sources of evidence, such as systematic reviews and meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, qualitative studies, practice guidelines and standards, professional literature and reports, and practice wisdom and experience. To search for evidence, you can use online databases, libraries, websites, journals, books, or networks. Examples of these sources are The Cochrane Library, Campbell Collaboration, Social Care Online, and Social Work Abstracts. When searching for evidence, it is important to use keywords, filters, and criteria that match your question to ensure that you are finding relevant and reliable sources. Additionally, it is beneficial to keep track of your search process and results.

3 Appraise the evidence

In the third step, it is essential to evaluate the quality, validity, and applicability of the evidence gathered. You should critically analyze the strengths and limitations of the sources by considering factors such as design, methods, analysis, sample size, characteristics, selection of participants, intervention, comparison, outcome measures and indicators, results, conclusions, implications of findings, and potential biases or ethical issues. Furthermore, it is important to consider how relevant and useful the evidence is for your client and practice context. To do this, ask yourself questions such as if the evidence addresses your question and your client's needs and goals; if it reflects the diversity and complexity of your client and practice setting; if it aligns with your values, ethics, and standards of practice; and if it accounts for preferences, expectations, and feedback from your client or other stakeholders. To help with this process you can use tools such as Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP), AGREE II or Evidence-Based Practice Process Assessment Scale (EBPAS).

4 Apply the evidence

The fourth step is to integrate the evidence with your practice wisdom, experience, and judgment and use it to inform and improve your interventions with your client. Communicating and collaborating with your client and other stakeholders is essential for sharing the evidence, discussing the options, and deciding on the best course of action. You should plan and implement an intervention that is based on the evidence and tailored to your client's situation, needs, and goals. Monitoring and documenting the process and outcomes of the intervention is important for making adjustments as needed. As well, evaluating and reflecting on the effectiveness and impact of the intervention will help you learn from the experience. To aid in applying the evidence, you can use tools such as the Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Model (EBPIM), Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) Cycle, or Logic Model.

5 Share the evidence

The final step is to disseminate and exchange the evidence and your practice experience with your colleagues, peers, and the wider social work community. To do this, seek and provide feedback to enhance your practice skills and knowledge, participate in professional development opportunities such as workshops or courses, engage and collaborate with researchers and other practitioners to bridge the gap between research and practice, and publish and present your findings in journals, reports, blogs, podcasts or other media. You can also use tools such as the Knowledge Translation Toolkit, Social Work Evidence Network (SWEN), or Social Work Podcast to help you share the evidence. Ultimately, EBP is a dynamic process that requires curiosity, creativity, and commitment; by following these steps and tips you can develop an EBP strategy that will benefit your clients and society.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?