Recent Social Work Practitioners’ Understanding and Use of Evidence-Based Practice and Empirically Supported Treatments

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate how CSWE’s 2008 shift placing more emphasis on research have affected newly trained social workers’ use of evidence-based practice (EBP). This qualitative study examined the educational and practice experiences of newly trained social workers and how those experiences influence the use of EBP and empirically supported interventions/treatments in the field. Thirteen newly graduated social workers were interviewed using a semi-structured interview. Twenty-three codes emerged from the interviews, with the most prominent theme being a sense of overall confusion about EBP. Other themes included lack of educational preparation, lack of agency resources, and prohibitive agency culture. Implications for social work education and practice are discussed.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Melissa D. Grady

Melissa D. Grady is associate professor at Catholic University of America. Traci Wike is assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Caren Putzu is assistant professor at Eastern Michigan University. Sara Field is an MSW graduate research assistant and Jacqueline Hill is an MSW graduate research assistant at Catholic University of America. Sarah E. Bledsoe is associate professor University of North Carolina. Jennifer Bellamy is associate professor University of Denver. Michael Massey is a doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Traci Wike

Melissa D. Grady is associate professor at Catholic University of America. Traci Wike is assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Caren Putzu is assistant professor at Eastern Michigan University. Sara Field is an MSW graduate research assistant and Jacqueline Hill is an MSW graduate research assistant at Catholic University of America. Sarah E. Bledsoe is associate professor University of North Carolina. Jennifer Bellamy is associate professor University of Denver. Michael Massey is a doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Caren Putzu

Melissa D. Grady is associate professor at Catholic University of America. Traci Wike is assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Caren Putzu is assistant professor at Eastern Michigan University. Sara Field is an MSW graduate research assistant and Jacqueline Hill is an MSW graduate research assistant at Catholic University of America. Sarah E. Bledsoe is associate professor University of North Carolina. Jennifer Bellamy is associate professor University of Denver. Michael Massey is a doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Sara Field

Melissa D. Grady is associate professor at Catholic University of America. Traci Wike is assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Caren Putzu is assistant professor at Eastern Michigan University. Sara Field is an MSW graduate research assistant and Jacqueline Hill is an MSW graduate research assistant at Catholic University of America. Sarah E. Bledsoe is associate professor University of North Carolina. Jennifer Bellamy is associate professor University of Denver. Michael Massey is a doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Jacqueline Hill

Melissa D. Grady is associate professor at Catholic University of America. Traci Wike is assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Caren Putzu is assistant professor at Eastern Michigan University. Sara Field is an MSW graduate research assistant and Jacqueline Hill is an MSW graduate research assistant at Catholic University of America. Sarah E. Bledsoe is associate professor University of North Carolina. Jennifer Bellamy is associate professor University of Denver. Michael Massey is a doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Sarah E. Bledsoe

Melissa D. Grady is associate professor at Catholic University of America. Traci Wike is assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Caren Putzu is assistant professor at Eastern Michigan University. Sara Field is an MSW graduate research assistant and Jacqueline Hill is an MSW graduate research assistant at Catholic University of America. Sarah E. Bledsoe is associate professor University of North Carolina. Jennifer Bellamy is associate professor University of Denver. Michael Massey is a doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Jennifer Bellamy

Melissa D. Grady is associate professor at Catholic University of America. Traci Wike is assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Caren Putzu is assistant professor at Eastern Michigan University. Sara Field is an MSW graduate research assistant and Jacqueline Hill is an MSW graduate research assistant at Catholic University of America. Sarah E. Bledsoe is associate professor University of North Carolina. Jennifer Bellamy is associate professor University of Denver. Michael Massey is a doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Michael Massey

Melissa D. Grady is associate professor at Catholic University of America. Traci Wike is assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. Caren Putzu is assistant professor at Eastern Michigan University. Sara Field is an MSW graduate research assistant and Jacqueline Hill is an MSW graduate research assistant at Catholic University of America. Sarah E. Bledsoe is associate professor University of North Carolina. Jennifer Bellamy is associate professor University of Denver. Michael Massey is a doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University.