Define Evidence Based Practice

Evidence-based practices is a term describing the application of the most up-to-date research in order to enhance service outcomes. Evidence-based practices most often refer to medical, health or mental health services, but can apply to any service provided for individuals and families.

Gaps Between Research and Practice

• Evidence-based practices came into use because of the lag between research and practice. It brings the latest methods and technologies "to the trenches" by bringing together researchers, methodologists and practitioners to provide the latest in service provision.

Provider's Tool Kit

• Evidence-based practices are skills that service providers and practitioners bring to the field. These techniques and strategies can be considered to be a service provider's tool kit, using the most up-to-date methods to connect with the individuals and families the provider works with.

Regulating Evidence-based Practice

• Many states regulate whether a provider can label services "evidence-based." For instance, rehabilitation and habilitation centers that work with the disabled can be regulated by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), the local mental health authority and a state rehabilitation services agency. These regulatory entities require specific documentation from rehabilitation and habilitation centers, such as written Person Centered Plans that show how the agency is providing evidence-based, individual services to persons with disabilities. CARF accreditation is the most stringent, requiring specific documentation that has evidence-based practices built in to the processes.

Person-Centered Services

• The use of evidence-based practices came into play in the 1990s in the fields of medicine, child services, education and mental health. Evidence-based practices are a way to provide person-centered services that focus on the most current, successful practices, based on evidence and the individual case or person.

The Provider

• Evidence-based practices also rely on a professional's knowledge and experience. It is also accepted that the professional's knowledge is influenced by personal and professional beliefs. Rather than relying solely on research documentation, evidence-based practitioners bring a wealth of tools to the table so they can provide individualized, successful service.