Evidence Based Practice in Psychology

Introduction

The career field, professional psychology is gradually and inevitably surrounded by the idea of evidence based practice. The practice has made an immense impact on policy, practice and training. All experts agree that evidence based practice has increasingly achieved a lot of designation and privilege, thus played a significant role in determining the role of medics in any given setting includes teaching, practicing and researching.

It is specifically essential to note that medical field research has been quite influential in ensuring that the scientist is given full grants and funding to further their studies in a given field. It is additionally imperative to note that such an incentive has forced some practitioners to include some illegal, non-ethical and immoral practices in the field. This has further been witnessed in clinical psychologists (Aarons).

Case Study

A young child’s case is one of the case studies can be employed in the evaluation of evidence based practice. The child or youth treatment alliance has been seen as a collaborative bond between the client and the psychologist. The cooperation between the expert and a child could also be unitary as opposed to being multidimensional construct. It is also essential to note that there are major differences between adult and youth groups.

A rewarding relationship between an expert and the youth can be used in relational features including the way in which the client views psychologists (Levant, 2008).  The client for example may consider the psychologist as humorous, rewarding and stimulating. This view has made a therapist to have an immense power in the process of making decisions in the course of treatment that a patient will have.

In the case study of the book for instance, the medic has decided to give psychotropic medication to an 8 year old boy despite the fact that the patient is undergoing asthma treatment. The father opposes the move and insists that any psychotropic medication should be done later on. Therefore, it is imperative to note that the dad was right in refusing the treatment but there are moral, ethical and legal consequences (Norcoss, 2008).

The decision by the boy’s dad has many implications including ethical and legal consequences. One of the implications is that the law expects patients to receive the right medication and that the medic has the right to choose and identify the right one even though he or she cannot force the medication on the client. This means that in the future, if the boy’s health deteriorated on the basis of refusal of the medication by the father, the dad will be indeed answerable to relevant authorities.

This is specifically in the event where the health of the son has worsened to a level that he becomes a menace to the society. Additionally, there is a legal issue and is of great concern the child’s right to access quality health care despite the dad’s opinion. Everyone has an inalienable right to access good healthcare and this cannot be changed since the dad is in a position of making decisions for the boy (Beidas, 2010).

From an ethical point of view, the decision also has an implication. One of the ethical considerations that have been realized in the case is the position of a therapist. Should the medic have the final decision or should other relatives or the father have? In many cases, it is always assumed that the medic is always right. Even so, it is imperative to put in mind the fact that family members have a family history that a psychologist may not be aware of.

Additionally, there is an ethical issue in regards to whether the guardian or the patient should directly make decisions related to the wellbeing of a patient. The ethical aspect is also associated with moral issues. For example, in this case, it is essential to note that the patient’s parents have an unsteady relation and it has been realized to have a direct cause of the kid’s mental issues. This means that the dad could have other hidden motives in refusing the son’s medication and in an ill manner (Norcoss, 2011).

Conclusion

When reaching a decision as to whether the patient should be treated for his mental issues, it is essential for a medic or psychologist to keep in mind a number of things. For example, it is imperative that the existing code of ethics should guide the decision. It is additionally essential for the professional to ensure the decision will play a significant role in enhancing the patient’s wellbeing and that of other involved parties despite the existing condition in the family and other implications.

To ensure that the decision is sound, the medic should also ensure that is an in-depth analysis, research and consultations amongst experts in the field. This will play a significant role in ensuring that the decision reached is for the best interest of the client and is tailor made towards ensuring the patient receives quality treatment to help prevent further consequences from the illness.

 

References

Aarons, G. A., Hurlburt, M., & Horwitz, S. M. (2011). Advancing a conceptual model of evidence-based practice implementation in public service sectors. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 38(1), 4-23.

Beidas, R. S., & Kendall, P. C. (2010). Training therapists in evidence‐based practice: A critical review of studies from a systems‐contextual perspective. Clinical Psychology: Science and Practice, 17(1), 1-30.

Levant, R. F., & Hasan, N. T. (2008). Evidence-based practice in psychology. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 39(6), 658.

Norcoss, J. C., Hogan, T. P., & Koocher, G. P. (2008). Clinician’s guide to evidence-based practices: mental health and the addictions. New York: Oxford University Press.

Norcross, J. C., & Wampold, B. E. (2011). Evidence-based therapy relationships: research conclusions and clinical practices. Psychotherapy, 48(1), 98.