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Can Empirical Clinical Practice Techniques Improve Social Work Outcomes?

Objective: To determine whether empirical clinical practice (ECP) techniques such as the use of standardized scales and single-subject designs are associated with improved outcomes for clients. Method: One group of clients was served by workers who used ECP techniques in combination with a standard intervention; a second group was served by workers who used only the intervention. Results: Clients whose workers used ECP techniques showed significantly greater reductions in problem severity than clients in the comparison group. No significant differences were found between groups with respect to reductions in number of client problems or client satisfaction at posttest. Conclusions: Design limitations, including the study’s inability to randomly assign workers to groups, mean its findings must be considered tentative. However, the results suggest that combining an intervention with the use of ECP techniques may positively affect client outcomes beyond the effect of the intervention alone.