Application: Evidence-Based Practice

How would you react if your primary care physician said to you, "I just heard about an interesting new drug that I want to prescribe for you. The pharmaceutical representative told me that it was a really effective medication, but I really haven't had the chance to check out the research?" As an educated person, you might be a little hesitant to accept the prescription. Unfortunately, there would be some people who would take the prescription simply because the doctor prescribed it. This type of power differential also exists in counseling relationships. Clients will often follow the recommendations of a counselor based on their belief that the recommendations offered are sound. Thus, it is imperative that counselors understand the research related to counseling and that they can clearly differentiate between those techniques and interventions that are supported by empirical evidence and those that have limited support.

In this Application Assignment you review some case studies related to evidence-based practice and search for published research that could guide your decision making. You also evaluate legal, ethical, and cultural implications for your decision.

The assignment: (4-6 pages)

•Select a case study from Clinician's Guide to Evidence-Based Practices: Mental Health and the Addictions. Describe the case study and identify the critical elements that would require you to review published research to guide your practice. Using the Walden Library, cite and summarize a research study that informs evidence-based counseling practice related to the case study as it would occur in your specialization area.

•Next, explain any ethical, legal, and socio-cultural considerations that apply for the case and/or the research article selected.