Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a process in which organizations combine well-researched interventions with professional experience, ethics, client preferences, and culture to guide and inform service delivery. EBP encourages service providers to constantly seek out new information, deliver services most likely to achieve their goals, and allows them to effectively meet the needs of their clients.

Up to Date Research

EBP relies on up to date research that explores the nature of social issues and addresses specific cultures, contexts and experiences. Today more than ever, private foundations and government organizations are starting to insist more and more on the use of evidence-based practices.

Government organizations rely on evidenced based practice because it allows them to make informed decisions that are backed by research and empirical data. By basing policies and practices on evidence, organizations can ensure that their initiatives are effective, efficient, and aligned with the best practices in their respective fields.

Identifying the Risk

This approach also helps to minimize the risks associated with decision making, as evidence-based practice is less likely to be influenced by personal biases or political interests. Ultimately, the use of evidence-based practice enhances accountability and transparency, as decisions are grounded on objective and measurable data rather than anecdotal evidence or intuition.This concept is used by many industries including social services, education and healthcare.

Council on Social Work Education

According to the Council on Social Work Education, there are five important steps involved in any evidence-based practice model.

1. Formulating a client, community or policy-related question
2. Systematically searching the literature
3. Appraising findings for quality and applicability
4. Applying these findings and considerations in practice
5. Evaluating the results

Below are examples of EBP models your organization can incorporate:

Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice model

This model uses a three-phase approach which consists of the following:

1. Practice question-Identify the population, interventions, and outcomes to develop a practice question.
2. Evidence- Conduct a literature search and evidence reviewed and assessed for value or quality.
3. Translation- Assess the similarities and differences between your sources to develop recommendations for practice

The Annie E. Casey Foundation uses a set of four standards:

1. Intervention Impact-What is the change intended or outcomes the organization intends to make?
2. Evaluation Quality- Research studies are carefully designed with a least two high-quality comparison studies or one high-quality randomized control sample to determine program effectiveness.
3. Intervention Specificity- Clearly identify outcomes for each service area from Intake to Exiting the program, assess strengths, targeted risks, and determine how the program elements contribute to the outcomes.
4. Dissemination Readiness: Develop written guidelines, training, technical assistance and an evaluation component.

Deakin University suggests using the five A’s of evidence based practice:

1. Ask – Convert your information need into a background or foreground question. Background questions are basic questions in which the information can be easily found in general resource information. Foreground questions are very specific and require a thorough investigation of research that provides evidence to direct treatment decisions.
2. Access the Information – When searching for the best available research, use the hierarchy of evidence- systemic reviews, critically appraised topics (evidence synthesis and guidelines), critically appraised individual articles (article synopsis), randomized control trials, cohort studies, case controlled studies, background information/expert opinion.
3. Appraise the Evidence – Appraise each study to ensure its credibility, clinical significance and relevance to your clinical question. Some factors to consider include how current the study is, researcher bias, similarity to your area of study, sample size, and appropriateness of the type of study type.
4. Apply the Information – Synthesize and review your findings through the lens of your expertise, context, and the population’s culture and values and circumstances, to reach a decision.
   Audit the Impact- Evaluating the effectiveness of applying the evidence to the population you serve; what impact did the action taken have on the desired outcome.

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