Discussion
The proposed study design described in the case study file meets the purpose of Single-system designs (SSDs). The design utilizes user-friendly empirical procedures which case manager hopes will help monitor and assess the effectiveness of the services being provide to George and other people included in the study.
Additionally, the case manager has identified areas of focus. These areas will be evaluated to determine the level of progress of the services provided by the agency. The areas of focus are personal care, decrease in mobility, and longer-term planning around living arrangement and home safety. The designs uses empirical procedures by relying on clinical rating scales.
Case managers in the multiple baseline study evaluated changes to the respective client problems simultaneously. They completed tasks in the three areas of focus and came up with findings that helped determine what effort what needed, and which areas. For example, they realize that there was a need for some additional work in the personal mobility issue.
The outcome of Chris' study with her client George compels me to adopt the model of case management with solution-focused and task-centered approaches. The outcomes are founded on a clinical rating scale (Plummer, Makris &Brocksen, 2014b); even though may not be exact, points out areas where improvement is needed. Indeed, the outcomes make a strong case for single systems designs.
It would be futile to do some work on clients and not achieve the goals desired. According to Tankersley, Cook & Cook (2008), task-centered approaches and solution-focused strategies help break down objectives into meaningful tasks, and maintain the goals of the agency. They increase the probability of achieving results.
If Chris and her colleagues wish to submit the study to the evidence-based practice registry, they should ensure that all tasks apply equally for all clients, despite their differences in health, age, perception and home environment.
It also implies that clients should access similar resources and delivery; this is ideal for the best studies (Dudley, 2014). The social workers should not make assumptions regarding the level of attention for each task for each client. That way, there will not be a bias in results.
References
Dudley, J. R. (2014). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do. (2nd ed.) Chicago, IL: Lyceum Books.
Plummer, S.-B., Makris, S., &Brocksen S. (Eds.). (2014b). Social work case studies: Concentration year. Baltimore, MD: Laureate International Universities Publishing. [Vital Source e-reader].
Tankersley, M., Cook, B. G., & Cook, L. (2008). A preliminary examination to identify the presence of quality indicators in single-subject research. Education & Treatment of Children, 31(4), 523-548.