A Study on the Development and Effectiveness of Evidence-Based Practice Education and Training Program for Social Workers: Focusing on the Community Welfare Center Social Workers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) education and training program for social workers and to examine its effectiveness. Twenty-four social workers in community welfare centers were assigned to either a EBP education and training group (N=12) or a control group (N=12). The EBP education and training group consisted of 12 sessions which included education, practices, small group discussions and case practices about EBP in Social Work. Mann Whitney test and Wilcoxon test were used. Major findings were as follows. Social workers in EBP education and training group significant increased social work self-efficacy, attitudes toward evidence-based practice, intentions to engage in EBP. Also, the focus group for social workers in EBP education and training group were performed and 5 themes were analyzed. Based on these findings, implications were suggested for the improvement of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) education and training programs for social workers.