EBP

Abstract

• Summary: This article identifies challenges to the implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) as a result of the dearth of empirical knowledge relevant to issues and populations typically addressed by social workers leading to practitioners’ being trapped between the demand and desire to practice on the basis of evidence and the unavailability of the necessary knowledge. Strategies for addressing the issue are offered.

• Findings: The current professional environment requires social workers to employ EBP. Contemporary literature has identified components, principles and steps of EBP as well as practitioners’ and organizational-related barriers to implementing it, including lack of resources (time, access to technology, capacity to train practitioners in new treatment modalities), organizational culture, reluctance to change, absence of leadership commitment, and, conflicting as well as inconsistent findings. Specifically, the absence of knowledge about minority population groups and relational issues is discussed as a barrier to effective EBP.

• Application: Strategies to bridge the gap and make research relevant to issues and populations faced by practitioners are suggested, including practitioners’ involvement with and leading of relevant research with the support of consultants, collaboration with researchers and developing their own research skills as well as conducting knowledge needs assessment and population-specific and action research.