Teaching evidence-based practice using cases in social work education

Abstract

This article details an approach to teaching the evidence-based practice (EBP) process using clinical case examples. This approach can also be used by classrooms educators, field instructors, supervisors in agencies, and agency leaders to enhance use of the EBP process in practice. We present an overview of EBP and the two main approaches to teaching it in social work. Next, we share a clinical case and classroom-based examples to teach the steps of doing EBP in practice. Feedback from students regarding their experiences of learning EBP is also detailed. In addition, we discuss challenges and opportunities this process offers students and instructors, supervisors, and administrators. The use of cases reveals the complexity of client needs, the merits and limitations of available research results, the complexity of evaluating research results, and the challenges of collaboratively developing a treatment plan.