Finding and Integrating the Best Available Evidence into the Group Work Field Practicum: Examples and Experiences from MSW Students

Abstract

Evidence-based practice has been widely discussed in the literature, but little has been said about how it is taught in courses on group work. This article describes how evidence-based group work (EBGW) has been taught in a master's level course on group work and includes examples of students' efforts at utilizing EBGW in their field placements, and their comments about the experience. Utilizing a four-stage process model of EBGW, students posed a clinical question, systematically searched for evidence to answer the question, critically reviewed the evidence, and applied it into practice. The examples illustrate the stages of EBGW and highlight the strengths and limitations of the approach. The written comments provide generally positive feedback and some suggestions for improvement. Ideas to strengthen the experience are presented.

KEYWORDS:

• evidence-based practice
• social work education
• group work
• social work field education
• master of social work
• group work field practicum

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

Acknowledgements to the following students whose examples and/or comments are included in this report: Delimar Pérez, Maribel Benavides, Fiorella Chirito, Lauren Drzewicki, Angela van Bilderbeek, Lourdes Levy, Christine Peña, Naida Sanchez, Latrice Thomas, Lisbeth Fernandez, Pamela Gormley, Amber Jeansonne, Jenna Kramer, Leah Warden, Ramon Bello, Lindsay Brown, and Bisma Sayed.