Evidence-informed practice
Evidence-informed practice is a reliable approach for designing health-promoting plans and activities through the used of available data about strategies that have bee proved to work. This entails utilizing evidence in establishing the potential benefits, risks, and in quantifying the cost of the proposed interventions (Wall, Higgins, & Hunter, 2016). However, when applying this concept, it is vital to acknowledge that an approach that works effectively in one context may fail to be feasible in another. The evidence-informed practice combines the local experience with expertise by applying the best available research evidence.
While making decisions about treatment approaches and how to evaluate my practice, an evidence-based approach informs my undertaking in the following ways. Initially, I always ensure that I am informed by evidence when I am planning the primary stages of a program or intervention. I also ensure to evaluate the program to disseminate the findings, thus helping in the development of the evidence base. For example, I often use the evidence obtained by establishing the association between a relevant theory in the field and the new program. At other times, I gather evidence about the components of an intervention or the overall efficiency of the program. Such evidence includes both statistical and descriptive information (Huckshorn & LeBel, 2013). For the collected data to be evidence, I always ensure that it is collected in an orderly manner, and the approach used is informed by research.
I obtain evidence that I apply in my practice from a range of sources. For instance, I use evidence from my service in the case where I have prior experience in a particular program. In other cases, I used evidence from the investigations of an intervention applied in a similar context or from a broad research base. To be in a position to effectively practice in an evidence-informed manner, I ensure the following. First, I ensure that I have a precise knowledge of the matter being addressed. Secondly, I try to establish the approaches proposed by theory in addressing the issue to realize the needed results. I, therefore, decide on how to put into practice the proposed idea. I also reflect on who to involve, including the partners, primary stakeholders, and the communities. I lastly design my approach while focusing on the need for the action and defining the size and duration of my plan and reflecting upon the complexity of the program(Huckshorn & LeBel, 2013).
In this context, a trauma-informed approach that I mainly exercise is a strengths-based model formulated based on the available evidence on the responsiveness to the effect of trauma. This focuses on fostering physical, emotional, and psychological safety for everyone and creating opportunities for survivors to re-establish a sense of empowerment and control (Huckshorn & LeBel, 2013). Trauma-Informed practice, especially in the social work sector, is aimed at aiding practitioners in this sector to properly serve clients who may have traumatizing experiences either in the past or present. As a social worker, I always provide psycho-educational support and utilize evidence-based knowledge to create a positive collaboration with my clients. For example, I embrace an evidence-informed approach while designing practices that are aimed at reducing suffering by trying to understand the fears and worries that tend to bother my clients. Mainly, I offer emotional support by seeking to know the concerns and challenges, including the stressors and resources inadequacy that my clients possibly face while attempting to overcome their situation (Huckshorn, & LeBel, 2013). As such, I utilize the available evidence in establishing how well I can manage factors like anxiety, mood difficulties, behavioral problems like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, and substance use problems (Wall, Higgins, & Hunter, 2016). Through this, I develop customized interventions that work perfectly within the settings applied.