Identifying as an Evidence-Based Social Worker: The Influence of Attitudes, Access, Confidence, and Education: the influence of attitudes, access, confidence, and education

Barbara Teater, Jill M. Chonody, Barbra Teater

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study explored United States-based social workers’ ( N = 152) attitudes toward, access to, and confidence in engaging in evidence-based practice (EBP), the extent to which social work education prepared them to engage in EBP, and the factors that contributed to their identification as an evidence-based practitioner. Findings indicated that although practitioners had a positive attitude toward engaging in EBP, they were only moderately confident in doing so, rarely accessed evidence, and were only moderately prepared through their education. Believing that EBP should be implemented, more educational preparation, and positive attitudes contributed to greater identification as an evidence-based practitioner, areas that social work and continuing education should further support to enhance social workers’ EBP skills.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)442-457
Number of pages16
JournalSocial Work Education
Volume37
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2018

Keywords

  • attitudes
  • confidence
  • continuing education
  • evidence-based practice
  • evidence-informed practice
  • social work evidence
  • social work education
  • social workers

EGS Disciplines

  • Other Social and Behavioral Sciences

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