A Beginners Guide to Evidence-Based Practice in Health and Social Care

In recent years, evidence-based practice (EBP) has gained momentum in social work and it looks increasingly likely that it is here to stay. Whilst this is undoubtedly a positive development for the profession, it is news that is unlikely to provoke an enthusiastic response from many students and practitioners alike. As social work educators will be familiar with, EBP is a subject matter that is often met with anxiety or scepticism by students. At face value, to those unfamiliar with EBP, its scientific approach can seem at odds with a profession which values human experience. It is therefore the difficult task of any introductory-level text on the subject to make it accessible, to shed light on the myths surrounding EBP and to convince the novice of its relevance to their practice. A Beginners Guide to Evidence-Based Practice in Health and Social Care (2nd edn) does this successfully. The book is written in a clear and engaging style which is perfectly pitched to its intended readership. The layout is clear, with example boxes, ‘think points’ and key information summaries supporting the novice to navigate their way through a complex topic. The first three chapters provide a sound introduction to the key concepts of EBP. Well selected examples leave the reader with little doubt of the importance and relevance of EBP not just to their professional field, but to their everyday lives. For those who are sceptical that EBP may impact on their ability to exercise professional judgement, the introductory chapters make it clear that using evidence to inform practice is a creative process.

Alternative medicine · Epistemology · Evidence-based practice · Pedagogy · Political science · Professional development · Relevance (law) · Skepticism · Interprofessional Education and Collaboration · Medicine · Nursing Roles and Practices · Psychology · Social Work