Contemporary issues and development
Evidence-based practice, diversity and lifelong learning
Integrating research, expertise and client context; cultural adaptation; research-to-practice translation; and building a habit of ongoing learning.
What this module draws on:
- Textbook concept Empirically supported treatments, diversity and training issues (Ch. 14–15).
- Contemporary update APA (2006) definition of evidence-based practice; cultural adaptation.
- Original elaboration EBP worked example and learning-plan activity.
Learning objectives
After this module you should be able to:
- Define evidence-based practice in psychology and its three components.
- Explain how cultural context shapes assessment and treatment.
- Describe barriers to research-to-practice translation.
- Plan ongoing professional learning.
Introduction
Evidence-based practice is not 'doing what the manual says'. It is a way of making decisions that integrates the best available research with clinical expertise and the client's characteristics, culture and preferences. It connects every module in this lab.
Three components Contemporary update
| Component | Meaning | Questions to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Best available research | Systematic reviews, trials, effectiveness and process research | What does the evidence say for this problem and population? |
| Clinical expertise | Assessment, formulation, relationship skills, monitoring, self-reflection | How do I apply evidence to this person, and is it working? |
| Patient characteristics, culture and preferences | Values, context, identity, resources and choices | What does this person want, and what fits their life? |
Culture and context Textbook concept
The textbook notes the growing importance of multicultural and diversity issues. Culture shapes how distress is expressed and explained, whom people consult, what counts as recovery and how family is involved. Cultural adaptation of evidence-based treatments — language, examples, metaphors, family involvement, delivery format — can improve engagement while keeping core active ingredients.
From research to practice Contemporary update
- Research samples may not resemble local clients.
- Clinicians may lack time, training or access to journals.
- Services may not fund supervision or outcome monitoring.
- Remedies include practice guidelines, training with supervision, routine outcome monitoring and practice-based research.
Lifelong learning Textbook concept
The textbook ends by urging students to keep learning. Knowledge in clinical psychology has a short half-life: tests are revised, classifications change and evidence accumulates. Supervision, continuing education, reading systematic reviews and reflecting on outcomes keep practice current.
Worked example: EBP in one decision Original, fictional
A fictional client with OCD prefers not to do exposure because she fears contamination at the hospital. The psychologist shares that exposure and response prevention has strong research support (research), considers her religious practices around cleanliness with care (culture and preferences), and uses expertise to design a collaborative hierarchy beginning with less threatening steps at home, monitoring progress weekly (expertise).
Interactive activity
Build your learning plan
Answer for yourself; then compare with the model answer.
1 Name one source you will use to keep up with research evidence.
Compare with a model answer
For example: systematic reviews (such as Cochrane reviews), current clinical guidelines, or a reputable journal's review articles — read regularly and critically.
2 How will you check whether your own clients are improving?
Compare with a model answer
Use brief, valid outcome measures at regular intervals, discuss them with clients, and review cases that are not improving in supervision.
3 Identify one cultural assumption in a Western treatment manual that you might need to adapt.
Compare with a model answer
For example, assumptions about individual decision-making, direct expression of emotion, or homework formats; adaptation might involve family, use local idioms and examples, or oral rather than written tasks — while keeping core active ingredients.
Knowledge check
4 questions. Every option has an explanation. Your answers are not sent anywhere when JavaScript is available; without it, they are checked by the server and immediately discarded.
Summary
- EBP integrates research, clinical expertise and client characteristics, culture and preferences.
- Culture shapes all of assessment and treatment; adaptation can improve fit.
- Translation from research to practice faces real barriers with known remedies.
- Lifelong learning and outcome monitoring keep practice current.
Questions for reflection
- Where do research evidence and your clients' preferences most often conflict, and how will you handle that?
Key terms
Further reading
- Textbook Plante, T. G. (2005). Contemporary clinical psychology (2nd ed.). John Wiley & Sons.
- Contemporary APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice. (2006). Evidence-based practice in psychology. American Psychologist, 61(4), 271–285.
- Cited in textbook Chambless, D. L., & Ollendick, T. H. (2001). Empirically supported psychological interventions: Controversies and evidence. Annual Review of Psychology, 52, 685–716.
- Further reading Barkham, M., Lutz, W., & Castonguay, L. G. (Eds.). Bergin and Garfield's handbook of psychotherapy and behavior change (latest edition). Wiley.
Practise in the case lab: Daniel: intrusive thoughts and hours of washing · Meera: chest pain, emergency visits and fear of dying