Burden of proof: the evidence clinicians require before implementing an intervention
Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Published online on October 12, 2012
Abstract
Background
Greater implementation of evidence‐based practice for children and adolescents is a current emphasis in the mental health field; however, there is a need to understand how best to disseminate these interventions and convince community clinicians to use them.
Method
A sample of 255 clinicians reported on the likelihood that they would use an intervention given various types of evidence.
Results
Case studies and clinical trials with an active or placebo control group scored as the most preferred types of evidence; however, more positive attitudes toward evidence‐based practice predicted preferences for clinical trials, but were not related to case studies.
Conclusion
Implementation of evidence‐based practice may be improved by greater dissemination of case studies demonstrating the use of these interventions in ‘real world’ settings. In addition, fostering a greater appreciation of research‐derived interventions among clinicians appears necessary.