Predictors of the Use of Evidence-Based Interventions Among National Association of Social Work (NASW) Members

Abstract

There is growing emphasis on the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) in the field of social work.However, much remains unknown about the factors associated with the implementation of evidence-based interventions among social workers. In the current cross-sectional study the authors examined a sample of 180 NASW members who completed a survey assessing knowledge of EBP, organizational climate, and practitioner use of evidence-based interventions (EBI). Logistic regression was used to identify variables that predicted NASW members' self-reported use of EBI. Organizational climate factors and practitioner knowledge were predictive of self-reported EBI use in the sample of NASW members. Findings suggest that increased knowledge of evidence-based practice and higher levels of innovation and flexibility in the organizational climate may increase adoption of EBIs.

Keywords::

• Evidence-based practice
• evidence-based interventions
• knowledge
• organizational climate
• social work

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions to research design and implementation for the study: Margaret Beall, Llewellyn Cornelius, Saltanat Dushalieva, Andrea Jones, Marlene Matarese, Kathleen Powell, Karen Rice, Deborah Svoboda, Kimberly Searce VanVulpen, and Crystal Williams.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported financially by the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of Social Work.