Implementation of Evidence-Based Models in Social Work Practice: Practitioners' Perspectives on an MST Trial in Sweden

摘要

The implementation of new treatment methods in social work practice is warranted. Moreover, little is known about professionals' attitudes toward the introduction of evidence-based practices into their communities. Therefore, this article reports on the implementation of a Swedish research project that evaluated Multisystemic Therapy (MST). All investigating social workers in a community-based social work practice and their supervisors completed a questionnaire concerning attitudes toward the research project, as well as attitudes toward MST as a treatment method. A large majority of participants were positive toward the research project, felt sufficiently informed, and thought that the implementation occurred at an appropriate pace. Likewise, participants felt positively toward the adoption of MST as a treatment method, toward evidence-based research in general, and in their affinity toward community-family-based services. On the other hand, investigating social workers differed in their practice attitudes. Potential reasons for these discrepancies, including the influence of top-down implementation, differences in experience, and differences due to the position held are discussed.