Predictors of Practitioner Self-reported Use of Evidence-Based Practices: Practitioner Training, Clinical Setting, and Attitudes Toward Research

Abstract

In light of the recent movement toward evidence-based practice (EBP) in mental health services, practitioner adoption of EBPs in clinical settings has emerged as an important area for study. This paper reports on the results of a national online survey of mental health practitioners in an attempt to identify correlates of self-reported EBP use in practice. The survey consisted of 214 mental health practitioners from 15 states drawn from a diverse set of clinical settings and representing a variety of theoretical orientations. The results indicated that practitioner training (i.e., taking a class in EBPs), the perceived openness of the clinical setting toward EBPs, and the practitioner's attitudes toward treatment research were significant predictors of self-reported EBP use. The relationship between clinical setting and EBP use was partially mediated by attitudes toward treatment research. Negative attitudes toward treatment research partially mediated the relationship between practitioner training and self-reported EBP use. The findings are presented within the context of efforts to increase EBP use in clinical settings and implications for clinical training, treatment research, and EBP dissemination efforts are discussed.

Theoretical and practical barriers to practitioners' willingness to seek training in empirically supported treatments

“…Practitioners of different theoretical orientations differ in their attitudes towards the proposed theoretical obstacles. Related to the findings of Stewart and Chambless (2007) and Nelson and Steele (2007) on EBP/EST attitudes and usage, cognitive-behavioral practitioners were more likely than eclectic and psychodynamic practitioners to disagree with the notion that theoretical barriers deterred their interest in EST training. Of these three groups, evidenced by the large effect size, psychodynamic researchers agreed most with the theoretical obstacles.…”

“…Some evidence indicates that clinicians with less clinical experience, more emphasis or training in ESTs in graduate school, and a nonpsychodynamic theoretical orientation (Aarons, 2004;Nelson & Steele, 2007;Stewart & Chambless, 2007) hold more pro-research attitudes and therefore might subscribe less to the theoretical objections.…”

Characterizing Community-Based Usual Mental Health Care for Infants

“…A previous online survey of mental health care providers estimated a slightly higher response rate (21.9%; Nelson & Steele, 2007). However, both in this previous study and the current study, an actual response rate could not be determined, as the number of potentially eligible participants was unknown.…”

Factors associated with the implementation of the Familias Unidas intervention in a type 3 translational trial

“…While community mental health providers have indicated concerns regarding the relevance of highly controlled (efficacy) studies, they have expressed greater openness to effectiveness research due to its increased external validity [25]. Overall, those more open towards EBIs are more likely to report using them [26].…”