Evidence-Based Practice Implementation—Anticipating Results

6

Accessing Information about Evidence-Based Practices

Tolulope I. Moses

Master of Social Work, Walden University

COURSE NAME: SOCW 6311

Dr Ashley Nazon

March 2022

Accessing Information about Evidence-Based Practices: Tiffani Case Study

Narrowing the gap between research and practice is necessary for social workers to provide the most effective interventions possible. Recognizing that one exists is the first step, and educating oneself and others is crucial to eliminating any misconceptions surrounding the evidence-based practice (Small et al., 2005). Social workers must realize the benefits of using evidence-based practices and use this information to provide the best possible interventions for their clients.

There are many benefits to using evidence-based practices in social work. First, research has shown that evidence-based interventions are more effective than those not evidence-based. Second, using evidence-based interventions can improve client outcomes. Also, using evidence-based interventions can help social workers improve their practice. Finally, using evidence-based interventions can help reduce the cost of providing services (Thyer, 2010).

This paper attempts to provide an overview of the current state of evidence-based practices in social work, the benefits of using evidence-based interventions, and how social workers can implement evidence-based interventions into their practice by using Tiffani's case study.

Summaries of the Interventions

Two evidence-based interventions that would be appropriate for Tiffani Bradley are the Nurse-Family Partnership and Strengthening Families Program. The Nurse-Family Partnership is a home visitation program for first-time mothers that provides support, education, and counseling to promote positive health outcomes for both the mother and child. The Strengthening Families Program is a family-based intervention that aims to prevent child maltreatment and improve parenting skills. It involves weekly home visits from trained staff for families with children aged 3-12 who are considered at risk for child maltreatment (Small et al., 2005).

The Nurse-Family Partnership has been found to improve prenatal health, reduce child abuse and neglect, improve child cognitive and social development, and increase the likelihood that children will be placed in a more positive home environment. The Strengthening Families Program has been found to decrease the rates of child maltreatment, improve parenting skills, and improve child behavioral and emotional outcomes.

While the Nurse-Family Partnership is targeted explicitly to first-time mothers, the Strengthening Families Program can be adapted for children with a history of maltreatment. Both interventions are supported by research indicating that they effectively improve outcomes for the mothers and children involved (Cooney et al., 2007).

Recommendations

When choosing between the two intervention options, the social worker should consider Tiffani's history of drug abuse, as well as her arrests and emotional and physical abuse. The Nurse-Family Partnership may be a better option for Tiffani, as it supports the mother and child. The Strengthening Families Program may be more appropriate for families without a history of drug abuse and violence. The social worker would require training to implement either intervention and consider attending a workshop or taking a course on the Nurse-Family Partnership or Strengthening Families Program.

The social worker should provide Tiffani with information on both interventions and allow her to choose which one she would like to participate in. If Tiffani chooses the Nurse-Family Partnership, the social worker will need to be skilled in providing support and counseling, as well as in-home visits. If Tiffani chooses the Strengthening Families Program, the social worker will need to be competent in parenting skills and providing weekly home visits.

Both interventions are evidence-based, so the social worker should be sure to provide training that will allow staff to implement them effectively (Thyer, 2010). Workshops and courses on the Nurse-Family Partnership and Strengthening Families Program are available online and in person. Therefore, the social worker should be sure to attend a workshop or take a course to gain the necessary skills to implement these interventions.

The social worker should continue to provide support to Tiffani and monitor her progress. If Tiffani does not respond well to either intervention, the social worker should consider referring her to a treatment program for drug abuse.

Would you, as a beginning researcher, have enough knowledge to benefit from researching evidence-based practices? Why or why not?

Yes, I would have enough knowledge to benefit from researching evidence-based practices. Evidence-based practice is a research-driven approach to treatment that is founded on the best available research evidence. By contrast, many standard clinical practices are based on tradition, personal experience, or unsubstantiated theories. Evidence-based practice aims to ensure that patients receive the most effective care possible by integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences.

The benefits of evidence-based practice are many. First, it can improve patient outcomes by helping ensure that patients receive the most effective care possible. Second, it can help clinicians deliver more consistent care with best practices. Third, it can help improve the quality of clinical research by providing a more rigorous and systematic evaluation of interventions. Finally, it can help clinicians stay up-to-date on the latest research findings.

How might the research that you conducted increase your confidence in the intervention with Tiffani?

The research that I conducted increased my confidence in the intervention with Tiffani because it showed that both interventions are supported by research indicating that they are effective in improving outcomes for the case of Tiffani as well as her family. Both programs that I came up with will provide some support to Tiffani's issues with substance abuse as well as help her parents know how to best help her when she is struggling. The emotional and physical abuse that Tiffani has faced will also have support through these interventions.

Is the information provided enough to make a decision regarding interventions? Why or why not?

While it is possible to offer guidance on interventions for Tiffani's situation, much more information is needed in order to make a fully informed decision. The social worker would need to consider factors such as Tiffani's current drug use, mental state, and living situation. Additionally, it would be essential to look at the research on interventions for cases similar to Tiffani's to see what has been found to be effective. Even with this additional research, it would be important to tailor any intervention to Tiffani's specific needs and situation.

References

Cooney, S. M., Huser, M., Small, S., & O'Connor, C. (2007). What Works, Wisconsin--Research to Practice Series.

Small, S. A., Reynolds, A. J., O’Connor, C., & Cooney, S. M. (2005). What works, Wisconsin: What science tells us about cost-effective programs for juvenile delinquency prevention. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Thyer, B. A. (2010). Introductory principles of social work research. Handbook of social work research methods, 1(1), 1-24.