Interesting practitioners in training in empirically supported treatments: research reviews versus case studies.
It has been repeatedly demonstrated that clinicians rely more on clinical judgment than on research findings. We hypothesized that psychologists in practice might be more open to adopting empirically supported treatments (ESTs) if outcome results were presented with a case study. Psychologists in private practice (N=742) were randomly assigned to receive a research review of data from randomized controlled trials of cognitive-behavioral treatment (CBT) and medication for bulimia, a case study of CBT for a fictional patient with bulimia, or both. Results indicated that the inclusion of case examples renders ESTs more compelling and interests clinicians in gaining training. Despite these participants' training in statistics, the inclusion of the statistical information had no influence on attitudes or training willingness beyond that of the anecdotal case information.
Stewart
Rebecca E
RE
Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Solomon Labs, 3720 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6241, USA. restewar@psych.upenn.edu
Chambless
Dianne L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003625:Data Collection; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011584:Psychology / Q000193:education*