Chapter 11: Engaging in Research-informed Practice and Policy Impact
Remember! No identifying information when discussing clients.
Please answer the following questions when creating your journal entry. Feel free to use references, share links, media, pics, and other items that you feel would help your teammates.
- Choose from the following list of research-proven social work theories:
- Strengths-based theory.
- Systems Theory and/or Family Systems Theory
- Person-in-environment theory (PIE)
- Solution-focused Theory
- Which one(s) do you use the most in your work with clients and why do you use this one the most?
- Are there theories listed above that you think would be beneficial to use with your clients, that are not currently used at your agency?
- Why do you think having research-proven interventions helps contribute to client outcomes?
Eizabeth Prophete
Orlando Health – REACH
- Choose from the following list of research-proven social work theories:
- Solution-focused Theory
- Which one(s) do you use the most in your work with clients and why do you use this one the most?
At my current placement with REACH at Orlando Health, we work with clients who have been discharged and or in the process of being discharged from the hospital and need additional community support. Our goal is to provide the clients with those resources and help prevent readmission. When completing assessments with my clients, I gather information as to issues and barriers that are present in my client’s life. I am also assessing s to their strengths and support system. Prior to completing the assessment, a set of goals are discussed between myself and the client on what the client wants to achieve. This allows the client to focus on goal that they want to accomplish. Once the assessment is completed, I inform my clients as to what resources and providers I can link them to, and I also discuss with them the importance of teamwork. Meaning, I will express to my clients how I can only be of great assistance if they take the initiative and follow through with the resources that have been provided to them. I encourage my clients to follow up with the providers and resources as I continue to do my diligent work on connecting with them as well. This helps the client with self-advocacy and personal growth and developing techniques to find a solution to their existing problems. This is also beneficial because as the clients know, REACH services are only for 30 days (some longer varying circumstances). Client will be able to walk away with additional and or enhanced skills of their own by the time we reach termination.
- Are there theories listed above that you think would be beneficial to use with your clients, that are not currently used at your agency?
At my internship, (although primarily solution focused) I find myself using all of the listed above theories. Every client is different and has their own challenges that they are facing. When completing the assessment, my goal is to see what approach would work best for that client. Sometimes one client may benefit from all and some perhaps only one. As a Social Worker, we are always looking at the strengths that our clients have and want to somehow integrate their strengths during our interactions with them. We are also evaluating the individual’s system and family dynamics and how it influences their everyday lives. While also paying close attention to one’s environment and seeing the positive and negative effects it has on their lives. Completing the bio assessment allows us to f theories like systems/family systems therapy, PIE, SFT and or SBT would be the best approach for our clients.
- Why do you think having research-proven interventions helps contribute to client outcomes?
Without research-proven interventions, how would practitioners know what is working and what isn’t? Because of research-proven interventions, we can see studies on how certain interventions were found to be beneficial for a specific population compared to another. Years of studies and practice along with information gathering/data collecting etc. is what helps us have a greater understanding as to what such interventions work and or do not work well for our clients. As a future therapist, when conducting my line of work and practice, I want to make sure I am providing my clients with the best and most beneficial intervention strategies that will work for them.
****Below is a link on some information on Solution-Focused****
Solution-Focused Approach: Coaching, Therapy, Interventions (universalcoachinstitute.com)
https://www.universalcoachinstitute.com/solution-focused/
Elizabeth- That is a helpful graphic to conceptualize a solution focused approach. I think one of the beauties of this theory is how applicable it is to so many people and situations. It is also quite practical and can save clients and clinicians time and money. As you pointed out, about a month to work with clients is a short amount of time, so you have to make the most of the time. -Polly
Name: Polly Smith
Agency: Seminole County Public Schools
In my field placement, I tend to use person-in-environment (PIE) theory the most. With elementary school children, their environment has a huge impact on their overall well-being as they are dependent on others to care for them. The child’s family system, their physical home environment, their environment going to and from school (sometimes walking by themselves), their school environment, their community connections, etc. all directly and indirectly impact the students. Understanding the context in which a student exists is crucial to helping them. For example, if a Kindergarten student is having behavioral issues in the classroom, we need to understand what that behavior is communicating. That child might have gotten themselves ready for school that morning and did not have any clean clothes to wear, and is physically uncomfortable. The child might not have slept well since the family recently became homeless and is sleeping in a car. Understanding the individual, interactional, and social environments of the students is necessary to provide meaningful interventions.
One theory that influences my approach a lot is attachment theory. While I imagine that the school social workers use this theory a lot, I think the school systems in general can benefit from understanding and applying it. School systems nowadays are struggling with vacancies and high turnover, and I see how it impacts the students in my internship. The students I work with have a lot of instability in their lives and many have severe attachment injuries. I think these students deserve stability as much as possible, so that they can experience secure attachments. If school systems valued attachment theory and invested into paying and treating staff better, there would be less turnover.
Having research-proven interventions guides us in supporting clients to reach their outcomes. I see this in my job often. In my job I use a strengths-based approach and see how it helps my interactions with clients and their successful outcomes. I have seen the struggle that colleagues of mine over the years have had, as they do not take this approach. While we both care about our clients and want the best for them, colleagues who focus on the weaknesses of clients seem to have difficulty retaining clients. However, I do really enjoy working alongside people who have different perspectives than mine. We each have a unique perspective on the world and life experiences that influence us, and in social work we benefit from sharing and learning from one another. On that note, I just found this website with some helpful information on attachment theory if you are interested in taking a look!
@Polly, I love your thoughts on the attachment theory, and I agree. When working with children, this plays a significant role as to their current behaviors. In DCF we see it a lot when the children are having issues at home and the lack of stability in the home and how that has a negative impact on them. – Elizabeth
Elizabeth – Thank you!! Oh my gosh I bet you see attachment issues all the time in your work. That must be so hard to see! -Polly
Alicia Henry
Orlando Health, Health Central
Which one(s) do you use the most in your work with clients and why do you use this one the most?
Solution-focused Theory
Currently, I work as a discharge planner in the case management department. I conduct assessments on patients prior to their discharge to ensure their safety, as well as to evaluate if they require any more assistance with their continued medical treatment once they leave the hospital. The assessment includes asking a series of pre-determined questions regarding their home environment, support system, medical coverage, and listening to see if there are any other non-medical issues that I can assist with. There are challenges to finding a solution to assist patients with things they may require after discharge. One of the most significant impediments is a lack of insurance or inadequate coverage. As a case manager, my mission is to assist patients in identifying and addressing unmet needs. If there is a need for which I cannot find a solution, I consult with my supervisor and colleagues about possible solutions, as well as recommend patients to the REACH program, which offers clients with resources to help them meet their needs.
Are there theories listed above that you think would be beneficial to use with your clients, that are not currently used at your agency?
Depending on the client’s situation, I believe that all theories can be beneficial. As a discharge planner, I spend approximately ten minutes with each patient, and the assessment is solely based on discharge planning. The only other theory that comes to mind is the Person-in-Environment Theory, which may be applicable for patients who have been admitted frequently or for substance misuse.
Why do you think having research-proven interventions helps contribute to client outcomes?
I believe that Evidence Based Practice (EBP) can ensure that Social Workers are offering the best treatments, interventions, and strategies by implementing the most recent and pertinent evidence into their practice. Evidence-based practice models offer the greatest care for each client by tailoring to the client’s specific needs, interests, culture, learning style, and circumstances.
Elliott Connie – Exactly Why SFBT Works With Any Client (youtube.com)
@ Polly-During my clinical internship, I will work with teenagers and young adults. I completely believe that the PIE is important for children and has a direct impact on them in a variety of ways. As I reflect on my own children and some of the events that occurred in our home, I can confidently say that the home environment had a significant impact on who they are today. I am grateful that I was aware that the home environment has a significant impact on children’s development and made every effort to provide a positive home environment for my boys.
Alicia- I can definitely see how solution-focused brief therapy is needed in your internship. Ten minutes with each patient is such a short amount of time!! It must be so difficult to quickly build rapport, assess clients, and provide interventions in that super short time frame. I imagine too that there are patients who could really use someone to talk to and feel comfortable opening up to you, and that it’s hard to cut the interactions short so that you can meet with all the patients you have. And that must be so rewarding to see your efforts to create a positive home environment had on your boys! I’m sure your experience being a loving and supportive parent will help you immensely in your clinical internship. -Polly
