Professors Howard and Jenson identify numerous potential benefits of clinical practice guidelines. We welcome the opportunity to join the dialogue and organize our comments around five questions: (a) Do guidelines ensure positive client outcomes? (b) Are published treatment outcome studies adequately representative of the universe of empirical knowledge about what works with diverse client problems and populations? (c) How can guidelines be integrated with professional decision making? (d) Will implementing guidelines translate into greater client compliance? (e) What is the fit between guidelines and paradigms of direct social work practice?
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