NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OFDEANS AND DIRECTORS

OF SCHOOLS OF SOCIAL WORK

San Antonio, TexasFALL CONFERENCE

September 17, 2005

Research Plenary

Jack M. Richman, Ph.D.Dean, School of Social Work

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Model for Evidence-Based Practice Decisions

Clinical State &Circumstances

Client’s Preferences& Actions

Research Evidence

Clinical Expertise

Source: Haynes, Devereaux, and Guyatt

Intervention Research Stakeholders – Practice

• Practitioner – Recognize the importance of social

intervention research & data driven practice.– Have knowledge needed to implement

evidence supported practices. – Have time and technology available to

engage in process of research review and synthesis.

Intervention Research Stakeholders – Practice

• Client system

– Client concerns, values, goals & preferences– Client situation, circumstance, strengths,

culture, ethnicity, and support systems

Intervention Research Stakeholders – Practice

• Agency – Agency as a learning organization willing to

engage in and support the process of data driven practice.

– Maintain a team of supervisors & practitioners who support & engage in creative dialogue & clinical implementation informed by social intervention research & data.

– Provide available time & technology to implement social intervention research.

Intervention Research Stakeholders – Practice

• Macro delivery system– Administrative systems & funding sources must

support the intersecting roles of intervention, research, & practice.

– Administrative systems & funding sources must support the research & practice activities & resulting time obligations.

– Implications of privatizing mental health service delivery in some states – no reimbursement for research or practice that does not fit with State definition of EBP.

Intervention Research Stakeholders – University

• Curriculum – Teach the integration of social intervention

research, data-driven practice, and clinical skills expertise.

– Teach the practice strategies that are supported by data (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy, family psycho-education, social skills training, multisystemic family therapy, DBT).

– Teach methods that are critical to implementation – (group work, home visitation)

Intervention Research Stakeholders – University

• Knowledge creation and dissemination– Publications and presentations – Tenure and promotion requirements

• Research design issues– smaller sample size – requires relationship development with agencies

and/or clients, prior consent, complicated IRB issues, and language issues.

– Possible lack of control groups, the inability to withhold treatment or services to clients, non-randomized samples, intersectionality, etc.

Reimbursable Evidence-Based Practice Treatments in Adult Mental

Health• Assertive Community Treatment

• Illness Management and Recovery

• Medication Management

• Family Psycho-Education

• Supported Employment

• Co-occurring Disorders: Integrated Dual Disorders Treatment

Operationalizing Approved EBP Skills in Adult Mental Health

• Help with social and family relationships• Crisis management• Counseling & psycho-education with family &

extended family• Coordination with family service agencies • Help to find volunteer and vocational opportunities• Provide liaison with and education employers• Serve as job coach for consumers • Provide preventive health education• Conduct medical screening• Provide reproductive counseling and sex education

Operationalizing Approved EBP Skills in Adult Mental Health

• Provide education about medication• Monitor medication compliance and side effects • Secure leases and pay rent• Purchase and repair household items• Develop relationships with landlords• Improve housekeeping skills • Financial management• Counseling • Use problem-oriented approach• Integrate counseling into continuous work

Other Reimbursable EBP Treatments in Mental Health

• Child Mental Health

• Multisystemic Therapy

• Intensive In-home Services

• Substance Abuse

• Cognitive Behavioral Treatment (CBT)

• Medication Assisted Treatment (Methadone, LAAM, Buprenorphine).

• Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET)

Models for Social Intervention Research

• Practitioner – Scientist – Schools teach practitioners the ability to

understand and implement research in the practice arena.

• University/Agency Partnership – University faculty and agency practitioners partner

to work on intervention research.

• Agency Research Unit– Unit provides the resources to hire a full time

intervention research specialist.

Future of Intervention Research

• Quantity of intervention research.• Quality of intervention research.• Recognition of importance of intervention research

by stakeholders.• Collaboration in engaging in intervention research.• Inclusion in university curriculum• Don’t lose critical nature of clinical expertise and

practice wisdom,