Evidence-Based Practice among Romanian Social Workers: Attitudes, Utilization, and Barriers

Abstract

In this article the authors report on a small survey of Romanian social workers regarding their attitudes toward evidence-based practice (EBP) and thoughts on the factors affecting its implementation in their clinical work. Eighty social workers were asked to complete a pen-and-paper questionnaire on their attitudes toward EBP, the use of research, and perceived barriers on implementation. Social workers have generally positive attitudes toward EBP. Insufficient time surfaced as the greatest barrier to successful implementation. Previous training during academic programs on the EBP foundations was associated with more positive attitudes and beliefs and also with stronger commitment toward implementation. Given the constant pressure that the limited resources pose on the social services, practitioners from the social work field must assure that their clients will have access to the best available programs and interventions. However, as the transfer of research into practice appears more complex than EBP suggests, the authors sought to understand how professionals construct their attitudes, level of commitment, and barriers.

Norwegian Social Work and Child Welfare Students’ Attitudes Toward Research-Supported Treatments

“…Previous research demonstrates that most social workers are positive toward EBP, although a minority report that they are critical or skeptical toward the concept (Bergmark & Lundström, 2011;Heiwe et al, 2013;Iovu, 2015;Iovu et al, 2015;James et al, 2019;Van Der Zwet et al, 2016;Wilson & Douglas, 2007). Similar results have been found among social work students (Iovu, 2015;Parrish & Rubin, 2012).…”

Vetenskapligt kunskapsutnyttjande och nyttjande av kunskapskällor bland hälso- och sjukvårdskuratorer

“…En rumänsk studie bland socialarbetare konstaterade att inställningen till forskning var positiv hos majoriteten av respondenterna, samtidigt som det faktiska användandet av forskning i praktiken var mycket lågt. Även i den studien motiverades tidsbrist som det mest påtagliga hindret (Iovu, Goian & Runcan, 2015). Wakefield och medförfattare (2022) fann att socialarbetare i Storbritannien hade en låg nivå av engagemang och aktivitet inom forskning och även en upplevd låg nivå av förtroende för tillämpningen av forskningsresultat.…”

Behind the Wall

“…The need to invest resources in staffed library facilities and information technology to access web-based databases was identified as a requirement if there were to be a movement from EBP as an aspiration to a reality. (Gray, Joy, Plath, & Webb, 2013, p. 163) Lack of access to information resources was also cited as one of the top three barriers to EBP in a study recent of Romanian social workers (Iovu, Goian, & Runcan, 2015).…”