EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE CASE STUDY 2
Evidence-Based Practice Case Study
Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) has increasingly become a core and integral part of social
work. In particular, EBP does not only discourage the use of pseudoscientific interventions but also
encourages social workers working with the community to base their interventions on research
(Bellamy, Bledsoe, & Traube, 2006). EBP is a part of the Social Work Code of Ethics that should
be used by social workers to guide them in the practice. In this perspective, the role played by EBP
in the provision of social services by social workers cannot be underestimated. In the case of the
Bradley family provided, the application of evidence-based interventions would prove to be vital in
changing the behavior of both Tiffany and Shondra. Armed with this understanding, the paper uses
the case study to expound on two effective interventions applicable in the case study as well as
evaluation of EBP based on the experience gained in the case study.
Summaries of the Two Interventions and their Effectiveness based on Research
In social work, interventions are implemented aiming at impeding and eradicating harm to
members of the community. Thus, social work interventions can be simple or complex and they can
encompass a range of psychotherapies, treatments, programs as well as services. In this case, the
two effective interventions that can be implemented to ameliorate the Bradley family case are
intensive family preservation services as well as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Family preservation
intervention services will be crucial in the case study since it will help the family preserve itself as a
healthy and effective system by engaging the parents and siblings as well as extended family who
have vested interest in the betterment of the family (Schweitzer et al., 2015). As an intervention, the
service is significant since it establishes mechanisms that enable members of the Bradley family to
keep together and prevent further unnecessary out-of-home placement of Shondra siblings.
Research conducted by Forrester et al. (2008) establishes that as an evidence-based practice,
utilization of family preservation intervention service plays a crucial role in maintaining family
structure, particularly where issues regarding substance abuse are involved.
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE CASE STUDY 3
Cognitive-behavioral therapy is also an effective evidence-based intervention that can be
used in the case of the Bradley family. In social work, cognitive-behavioral therapy will act as a
tool to help the social worker to develop rational management of Tiffani’s behavior, which develops
a better understanding of the source of the problems she and her family are experiencing. As an
effective evidence-based intervention, cognitive behavioral therapy will seek to change the attitude
of both Tiffani and her mother, Shondra as well as their behaviors by focusing on their thoughts and
beliefs. Consequently, this will improve the quality of life of the family. González-Prendes &
Brisebois (2012) posit that cognitive-behavioral therapy has become an evidence-based practice that
is utilized by social workers as a psychotherapeutic intervention.
Recommendations for Tiffani’s Social Worker
To effectively implement the highlighted interventions, it is crucial for a social worker to
not only have social work skills but also consider various factors as well as training. Regarding the
factors, a social worker should select an intervention that is considered by research as evidence-
based as well as one that can be effective to ameliorate the situation at hand. This entails evaluating
the advantages and disadvantages of the two interventions. To effectively implement the
interventions, a social worker should possess emotional intelligence skills, critical thinking skills,
effective communication skills both verbal and non-verbal, as well as problem-solving skills.
Ideally, implementing the interventions requires an articulation of more than one of the indicated
skills. Coupled with adequate social worker training, the interventions can play a crucial role in the
betterment of the Brandley family. In particular, psychotherapy training to enable a social worker to
perform cognitive behavioral therapy would be essential. Regarding family preservation
intervention services, a novice social worker should be trained on how to maintain a professional
relationship while working with the family to help improve outcomes.
Evaluation of EBP based on the Experience Gained from the Case Study
As a beginning researcher, I would benefit from researching evidence-based practices. This
is because it would encourage me to seek answers regarding how things can be improved. This is an
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE CASE STUDY 4
effective way as a social worker since it opens my eyes to all different things that I can do for the
advancement of the community and society. Thus, through adequate research that I have conducted,
I have gained confidence, which can enable me to work with Tiffany. In particular, I would utilize
the research to evaluate the effectiveness of the practice through the new knowledge, policies, and
policies resulting from the research efforts (Healy, 2014). Based on the case study, the information
provided is enough to decide on interventions. This is because using the available research and
training, as a social worker, I can be able to gather evidence-based information, which can guide me
in establishing strategies to effectively implement the interventions. Idyllically, a social worker
should use the information provided and user experience combined with researching to guide and
inform on the best way forward.
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE CASE STUDY 5
References
Bellamy, J. L., Bledsoe, S. E., & Traube, D. E. (2006). The current state of evidence-based practice
in social work: A review of the literature and qualitative analysis of expert
interviews.AJournal of Evidence-Based Social Work,A3(1), 23-48.
Forrester, D., Copello, A., Waissbein, C., & Pokhrel, S. (2008). Evaluation of an intensive family
preservation service for families affected by parental substance misuse.AChild Abuse Review:
Journal of the British Association for the Study and Prevention of Child Abuse and
Neglect,A17(6), 410-426.
González-Prendes, A. A., & Brisebois, K. (2012). Cognitive-behavioral therapy and social work
values: A critical analysis.AJournal of Social Work Values and Ethics,A9(2), 21-33.
Healy, K. (2014).ASocial work theories in context: Creating frameworks for practice. Macmillan
International Higher Education.
Schweitzer, D. D., Pecora, P. J., Nelson, K., Walters, B., & Blythe, B. J. (2015). Building the
evidence base for intensive family preservation services.AJournal of Public Child
Welfare,A9(5), 423-443.
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