Predictors of Social Work Practitioner Engagement in Evidence-Based Practice: A Cross-Sectional Survey

ABSTRACT

Purpose

: There has been a sustained effort to integrate the evidence-based practice (EBP) process within social work over the past few decades, yet it is unclear whether these efforts have increased the adoption of this process in social work practice. This study describes predictors of master’s level social work practitioners’ engagement in the EBP process.

Method

: A cross-sectional survey with NASW-Texas members (N = 258) was conducted to assess social workers’ understanding, attitudes, and implementation (and perceived difficulty) of the EBP process.

Results

: Most respondents endorsed the multistep process definition of EBP, were favorable to EBP and viewed its application as easy or very easy. However, only 27% of the respondents reported engaging in all the steps of the EBP process often or very often. Greater years as a licensed practitioner, more positive attitudes about and less perceived difficulty with EBP predicted increased engagement.

Discussion

: While it appears progress may have been made compared to prior Texas NASW samples regarding views of and engagement in EBP, the discrepancy between higher engagement in specific EBP steps and engagement in the entire process is recommended for future research.

KEYWORDS:

• evidence-based practice
• social work practice
• attitudes
• engagement
• defining EBP

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.