Missing Links in Evidence-Based Practice for Macro Social Work

ABSTRACT

The paradigm of evidence-based practice includes a process for searching, appraising, and synthesizing evidence to answer a question. Two important elements related to macro social work practice must be addressed in this process. One missing link relates to the imperative to foster client self-determination and empowerment by allowing clients to choose among equally salient interventions. The second missing link is to ensure that the intervention is implemented with fidelity to the original model. This article describes the need for incorporating these elements in evidence-based macro practice. Guidelines are provided for implementing the elements and their implications for practice, research, and policy.

KEYWORDS:

• Client self-determination
• evidence-based practice
• fidelity
• implementation
• macro social work practice