Suchergebnisse

Objectives: The purpose of this article is to present a theoretical frame of reference for the study and assessment of social work from the perspective of a history of ideas. Method: The study employed an analysis of primary and secondary historical sources. Results: Social work as a practice and research field is embedded in the genesis of modern social science as developed by the Scottish School of thinking, and organized practice for the betterment of life conditions of individuals, groups, and communities. Conclusion: The history of ideas of social work provides a theoretical frame of reference for identifying the historical roots of social work, defining its core as well as professional and research territory relative to other professions and disciplines, and placing evidence-based social work practice in a historical context.

This paper offers an account of contemporary efforts to introduce and refine the use of research evidence in policy and practice in Sweden with regard to the social care services system. The paper introduces the national context, the social care services system, and the knowledge generation and research funding mechanisms for the social work profession in Sweden. It then describes national policies and measures to advance evidence utilisation in social work practice. The account describes how the discourse on the use of knowledge in social work has shifted over time. It reflects on the Swedish experience in light of several models of the evidence to policy and practice relationship.

This article explores some of the main challenges of improving the teaching of evidence-based practice in schools of social work. The priority challenges are the needs for a general professional cultural shift, for adequate curricula, to overcome the controversy of scientific methodology, to better understand the state of the art of the professional knowledge base, to create a professional consensus on what is a reasonable evidence level on which to rely and in what circumstances, and to create genuine and instrumental teaching integrated into the places in which social work is practiced. Furthermore, it is suggested that when affected by exogenous sources of change, schools of social work and social work agencies will have to adopt evidence-based practice to increase their legitimacy and survival capability.

This article elaborates on the centrality of interventions for social work practice and the importance of understanding the effects of interventions for a more efficient, harmless, transparent, and ethical social work practice. Low-bias research designs and meta-analyses are important means of generating the best possible evidence on what works in social work practice. An evidence-based practice model is promising in terms of translating and implementing scientific evidence that is uncertain, volatile, and incomplete and might be difficult to access.

1. Introduction -- 2. Evidence-based practice -- 3. Evidence and its sources -- 4. Supporting evidence-based practice -- 5. Challenges of using EBP in social work practice -- 6. Controversies -- 7. Globalization of evidence-based practice -- 8. Creating a professional culture for evidence-based practice.

This book fills a gap in social work writing by describing the challenges of investigating the process and outcomes of efforts to translate and implement evidence-based practices in social work. Decision-makers in social service agencies and policy settings, in addition to professors and master's- and doctoral-level students, will all want to read this vital and informative book that brings core issues of research and practice to life.

There has been an increasing focus on the process of translating research into practice in all fields of health and social services. This focus has shed considerable light on the potential for social workers to play a pivotal role in conducting translational research and facilitating research translation. This article examines new opportunities, directions, and methods for engaging in translational research and research translation; provides examples of social worker leadership in specific translational research studies, methods development, training programs, and National Institutes of Health-funded Clinical and Translational Science Institutes; and describes a strategy for research that meets the specific needs and draws upon the specific strengths of our profession.