Evidence-based Versus Outcome-focused Practice Essay Example for Free

Evidence-based Versus Outcome-focused Practice Essay In many professions like medicine, psychology, education and psychiatry, outcome-focused practice and evidence-based practice are frequently used among other approaches. Due to lack of evidence-based information, the knowledge that many practitioners have been using is the knowledge that has build up from experience and it has not been researched on, to prove the validity of the same. Nevertheless, this does not mean that the information is always wrong, the information may be right but the evidence of the same may be lacking. Psychology has been affected by this as well as other professionals. Consequently, this essay seeks to analyze both outcome-focused and evidence-based practice and explain how counselors can contribute to the development of evidence-based practice. In addition, it shall also explain some shortcomings of outcome-focused practice and client directed practice. Since evidence based practice is the practice that has been recommended by many associations, it would be of much importance to look at it more comprehensively. According to American Psychological Association (2005), evidence-based practice can refer to combination of the best research available with the clinical knowledge in the context of patient characteristics, culture and preferences. The same studies record that the Institute of Medicine defines the same as the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. In psychology, this is very important as it helps to promote effective psychological practice which eventually enhances public health by the application of empirically supported principles of psychological assessment, therapeutic relationship and intervention. To be in a position to understand comprehensively what is meant by evidence-based practice, it would be necessary to understand the different components of the same. There must be best research evidence which refers to a body of evidence on intervention strategies, assessment procedures and clinical problems among others, drawn from various research designs and methodologies attesting the effectiveness of psychological practices. The evidence should also be based on reasonable sizes, systematic reviews, statistical and clinical significance, and a body of supporting evidence. In order for the research to be valid, the same should be based on progression from clinical observation by systematic reviews from of random clinical trials while at the same time recognizing gaps and limitations in the literature which is already inexistence and its applicability to a specific case (American Psychological Association, 2002). Clinical expertise in psychology refers to all the competencies that promote and lead to positive therapeutic outcome which are inclusive but not limited to conducting assessments and coming up with diagnostic judgments, systematic case formulation, monitoring patient progress, among others. It is actually used to integrate best research evidence with clinical data which can refer to information about the patient and which is usually obtained in course of treatment by the counselor or psychologist. In psychology, treatment is most effective when the services address patient’s specific problems, personality, and socio cultural context. The therapeutic outcome largely depends on some of the patient’s characteristics like readiness to change, level of social support, functional status, chronological age, developmental history and religion. Environmental context like health care disparities, stressors like unemployment, personal preferences and values like world views and goals, are all very important and usually have much to do with the outcome of any psychological intervention. Although the main goal of evidence based practice is to maximize the choice of the patient among other alternative and effective interventions, clinical implications of the same are considered to a very great extent. Having discussed what is meant by evidence-based practice and its components, it would be necessary to discuss the role of a counselor in the development of the evidence based practice. The first role of the counselors should be to join efforts with other researchers and professionals so as to make sure that the all the research data available on psychological practice is both clinically relevant and internally valid. Therefore, they should join the rest in conducting psychological research in order to validate the already available information. The research should also address the widely used psychological principles due to the fact that though there is no evidence to support the same, this does not mean that they are all wrong. For a long time there have been barriers and challenges that face the use of research-based evidence. Since counselors are the people who face these challenges daily in the course of their practice, it would of great significance if they helped in identifying these challenges. After identifying the challenges, they should be addressed if any positive outcome should be expected. However, addressing these challenges may be a very complicated process for any counselor especially without the support of others in the same and in other related professions. Therefore, it if counselors can combine and form organizations that can address this issue much can be realized from the same. For instance, if the problem facing the research happens to be lack of funds, an organization can raise the same easily or even be in a better position to influence some funding organizations to provide funding for the same. The American Psychological Association has been in the front line in ensuring that psychologists deliver the best services to the patients. In order to enhance development of evidence-based practice, counselors should strive to see to it that the psychological principles they use while addressing the problems of the patient are supported by sound evidence. This can only be achieved if they are well informed. It is therefore important for all counselors to be updated on various research findings in their area of profession. This can be achieved through attending various workshops and seminars. It would be very vital for all counselors to disregard all other information that does not originate from the credible sources. Counselors are the key people who can make sure that evidence-based practice is in operational because they deal with the patients directly. On the other hand, outcome-focused practice is a different approach from evidence-based practice, although the goal may actually be the same. Outcome focused generally refers to any approach that is more aimed at attaining the outcome of any method used . It is an approach that also focuses on building an alliance with the client and getting of the feedback from the client. This approach is most of the times client directed and that is the reason as to why the key person in this approach is basically the client. The first step in this approach is to listen and identify what the client want. The psychologist then plans the intervention strategies in such a way that the goals of the client can be easily achieved. To achieve this, the practitioner keeps on getting feedback from the client concerning the whole process to determine whether the goals of the client are being addressed. The reason as to why it is mostly client directed is because it aims at attaining the goals set by the client and the method of doing the same is by using strategies which are also designed by the client (Abraham Michie 2004). Client driven and outcome focused practice is more often than not very successful although this does not mean that it is the best form of practice. Research has shown that it enhances the outcome of those cases that face the risk of the poor outcome more so because the client’s contribution is encouraged. Moreover, it reduces the drop out rates since the client is unlikely to drop, out of the strategy that has been devised to favor him. This practice is widely used especially while dealing with mental health patients as well as other emotional disturbances. Failure to use such a practice while dealing with such sensitive issues can easily interfere with the outcome. However, although outcome focused and client directed practice are widely used especially in psychology, the same has got some shortcomings. Some scholars have urgued that in outcome-focused practice, sometimes the outcome becomes the opposite of what is already expected. This is due to the fact that most of the times the practitioner lays a lot of emphasis on the outcome and forgets all about the process. The process is very important since the outcome largely depends on the process that has been used. For instance, while counseling a bereaved person, the process of doing that is very important as it dictates the outcome of the same. Failure to use the right process may not only interfere with the outcome but it can also easily worsen the condition of the patient or the client. Despite the fact that client directed practice reduces the drop out rates in any intervention procedure as highlighted earlier, there are still some shortcomings of the same. In client directed practice, the use of research based-evidence is sometimes compromised. This is because in this practice, the client is allowed to come up with goals and the means of achieving those goals. The truth is that the counselor may not get the opportunity of using the already available knowledge in solving the problem. Since the client is not actually a professional of the same the required outcome may be achieved but without the use of the best practice method. The counselor also strains a lot while trying to devise ways and means that will best address the client’s problem in a manner that will favor the client (Abraham Michie 2004). In psychology the mode of practice is very important because it does not only affect the outcome, but the future of the subject as well. Since psychology is a science, all strategies and the methods of practice should be adequately researched on before they are applied in solving human problems. This is the main reason that makes a lot of organizations and associations to propose the use of evidence-based practice. This allows the use of strategies that have been verified by use of sound research procedures which is not only effective but also minimizes the chances of having a lot of quacks in the profession. However, there is also outcome-focused practice and client directed practice. The study of the same shows that it is largely used in psychology as it is used in other relevant areas. Although it is highly successful for it improves the outcome of very sensitive issues, it is at the same time not the best. This is because at times it disregards the use of the already researched methods and knowledge which is a draw back, for it prevents change and development in the field of psychology. Moreover, patient’s interpretation of a certain situation may change in the course of the intervention which may complicate the whole procedure or interfere with it altogether (Wilson, Taylor, 2005). Although more emphasis has been laid on the evidence-based practice, outcome and client directed practice cannot and should not be done away with altogether. They are all important, but the counselor should be empowered and be in a position to make the right decision while dealing with the client. Moreover, incorporating evidence based practice should not be rushed because change may actually take some time, especially when a whole system is concerned. Nonetheless, evidence-based and outcome-focused practices are all modes of practice in the field of psychology and contribute differently towards the same. References Abraham, C. Michie, S. , (2004). Health Psychology in Practice. Oxford, Wiley-Blackwell. American Psychological Association, (2002). Criteria for evaluating treatment guidelines. Retrieved on 4th April 2010 from: http://www. apa. org/practice/guidelines/evaluating. American Psychological Association, (2005). Policy Statement on Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology. Retrieved on 4th April 2010 from: http://www. apa. org/pi/families/resources/ebp-statement. pdf Wilson, S. G. Taylor, J. , (2005). Applying sport psychology: four perspectives. Champaign, Human Kinetics

Analyzing How Buildings Affect Physical and Mental Health Essay

According to Bokalders and Block (2009) some people spend more than 90 percent of their live indoors. This represents that those who live or work in buildings may be significantly influenced by them. Materials which are utilized in the erection of buildings, also interior design of buildings, providing clean air and intensive light are important issues to be taken into account, because their quality has considerable impact on residents. Rostron (2008) claims that adverse effect of a building can cause a considerable implication for society: many of those who suffered from ‘sick buildings’ have complained that their productivity had reduced by 20 percent. Thus, in order to construct healthy buildings without any unfavorable effect on occupants, complex issues should be taken into consideration. The aim of this paper is to identify how buildings can affect physical and mental health and to find solutions which can create better conditions for living and working in. Firstl y, this paper will unfold the causes of bad welfare of occupants and what harm buildings are able to do to people’s health in general, then implication for society will be mentioned. After that some possible solutions will be suggested and evaluated in terms of effectiveness, cost and availability. Constructing a building is challenging issue which requires many problems to be solved and much decision to be taken. Maintaining the balance between architectural design, engineering design and interior in general is not an easy task. In addition, providing healthy indoor environment to the occupants that enhances their physical and mental well-being should be prioritized. Reinhold, Afshari and Gunnarsen (2005, 29) state there are variety of factors in the indoor envir... ...the loss of sleep, which then outcomes as a poor physical and mental health (Åkerstedt and Nilsson 2003, 6-12) Interior Restorative environment It is believed that nature has a restorative effect on stress. According to Ulrich (1984) patients after surgery quickly become better if their windows viewed the landscape rather than buildings. In addition, it was found that pictures of nature may have effective restoration on patients than images of urban sites (Ulrich et al., 1991). Ulrich (1991) reported that the patients who were designated an image with the view of nature demonstrated less nervousness; also demand for anodyne in comparison with a control group has reduced. Moreover, at Conquest Hospital in East Sussex art sessions for stroke patients have been maintained and it has been noted that visual art assists in relieving the pain both mental and physical.

Buss Plan Essay

Secondary markets c. Tertiary markets d. Prospective customers 8. Proposed locations 9. Action Plans a. Brand awareness action plans b. New location action plans c. Organizational structure action plans d. Remote locations action plans e. Local advertisement action plans f. Pricing issues action plans g. Competition with industry leaders action plans 10. Sales projections a. Pessimistic b. Optimistic c. Realist 11. Exhibits a. Materials Costs b. Sample Rent Comparison c. Vanilla Cupcake Cost Breakdown d. Coconut Cookie Cost Breakdown e. Sample Media List f. Sample Vegan Recipes g. New York Times Article 12. Appendix Executive Summary Executive Summary The proposed company, Bon Bon Appetit, is in the early stages of development. Bon Bon Appetit will be a specialty bakery, focused on providing organic, vegan, and gluten-free baked goods to the community. It is expected that the majority of revenue in the first year will be derived from in-store retail purchases. However, once the bakery has established a good reputation within the community, its primary revenue will most likely be from custom orders for special events. Bon Bon Appetit competes in a sub market of the baked goods, desserts and health food industries. Competition will range from large supermarket bakeries, such as Publix or Sweetbay, to smaller independent bakeries in the community. Bon Bon Appetit will be able to set itself apart by offering superior ingredients, hard-to-find specialty items and exceptional flavor. Since Bon Bon Appetit will be able to differentiate itself from its supermarket competitors, it will not be forced to rely on low cost pricing. This will enable the bakery to maintain a decent profit margin in a growing industry despite the competition. Thorough analysis has shown Bon Bon Appetit to have multiple strengths in terms of utilizing sociocultural desires and trends, meeting needs of under-served specialty consumer markets and taking advantage of Tampa Bay’s growing population. Weaknesses for Bon Bon Appetit arise in overcoming consumer stereotypes about health food not tasting good and in business expenses. Tampa Bay’s most desirable locations have extremely high rental rates, which means that the bakery would be unable to survive unless it achieved great success quickly. Overall, Bon Bon Appetit shows good potential as a local business, given that its weaknesses are addressed in a way that minimizes their negative impact on the bakery’s bottom line. Compromises on the bakery location which allow for lower overhead, but also maintain visibility and foot traffic, could be the difference between success and failure for this business. Situa tion Anal ysis Situation Analysis Gluten-free foods pushed through the recession in 2009 to achieve a global value sales growth of 11 percent, according to Euromonitor International. The same source also found that in 2009, gluten-free food registered global value sales of $2. 3 billion and also accounted for 27 percent of food intolerance sales. Bakery products, which traditionally are the most affected category of food, experienced half of these sales. Gluten-free products were originally intended for people with celaic disease, who experience a dangerous intolerance to gluten. Recent reports from Packaged Facts suggest that many people who have not been formally diagnosed with celiac disease have chosen to avoid gluten because of a self-diagnosed allergy. The findings of the report show that only 8 to 12 percent of gluten-free consumers indicate that they or someone in their household has celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Packaged Facts predicts that the gluten free market will continue to grow in the next five years, approaching $5. 5 billion by 2015. Current pop culture is creating a new perspective on veganism. Oprah Winfrey and her 378-person staff recently took on the challenge of eating vegan for one week, and also committed to â€Å"Meatless Mondays† at the Harpo station. Vegan authors, Kathy Freston, Kim Barnouin and Rory Freedman, have landed at the top of many book lists in the past few months and have also made a number of television appearances touting the benefits of a vegan diet. In addition to the increased popularity of special diets, demand for organic food products has increased rapidly. An article published by CNBC noted that in 2003, organic food sales at the retail level totaled $10. 4 billion, according to Katherine DiMatteo, executive director of the Organic Trade Association. According to the Organic Trade Association’s 2010 Organic Industry Survey, U. S. sales of organic food and beverages have grown from $1 billion in 1990 to $24. 8 billion in 2009. Market/Company Situation Bon Bon Appetit bakery will first and foremost provide delicious baked goods, with an emphasis on healthful indulgence. By providing organic, gluten-free and vegan baked goods, the bakery will expand its market beyond that of a typical bakery. These specialty offerings will encourage brand loyalty in target markets normally excluded and ignored. The increasing popularity of gluten-free, vegan and organic food is the core motivator for creating a bakery like Bon Bon Appetit. Other specialty bakeries exist around the country, but no such bakery has established itself in the Tampa Bay area. Most well-established and successful vegan bakeries are situated in young, urban areas, such as New York City’s BabyCakes, Portland’s Black Sheep bakery or Asheville’s West End bakery. Of Tampa’s population of 4,094,530 people (as of 2009), 49 percent have completed at least some college and 41 percent are under age 34, according to the Tampa Bay Partnership. Females make up 51 percent of Tampa’s population, according to ESRI, Inc. These demographics indicate strong potential for a specialty bakery, since young and educated people tend to be more likely to be interested in health foods and alternative lifestyle options. For example, according to a study conducted by the Vegan Research Panel, 69 percent of American vegans adopt the lifestyle before age 24, and 78 percent of American vegans are female. The 2008 Food Institute Report also concluded that, â€Å"In general †¦ those with more education and income are more likely than average to try to eat healthy. †

Factors Influencing Leadership Styles Essay

Personality Traits A leadership style may become an extension of a leader’s personality. If an individual is outgoing and assertive, he may prefer to communicate directly with subordinates through face-to-face interaction or confrontation, either on a group or individual basis. If he is more reserved, he might choose to lead by example or rely on written communication. Rather than addressing a group as a whole, the reserved leader is probably more comfortable meeting with subordinates on a one-on-one basis to provide individual direction. Level of Control The level to which a leader wishes to maintain control also influences leadership style. Some leaders want to be involved in all aspects of day-to-day operations and decision-making processes, which requires the need for micromanaging. Others may be more trusting of their subordinates or may not want the heavy burden of making all decisions, so they tend to take a more hands-off approach by delegating responsibility. Leaders who choose to delegate may need to create an additional layer of management. Organizational Structure An organisation’s structure and operating methods may dictate the type of leadership style that managers must adopt. Some organisations place heavy emphasis on encouraging contributions or ideas from their members, requiring an open style of leadership where members have a large say in determining their own roles and functions. Other organisations operate with more of a â€Å"my way or the highway† mentality, where leaders dictate direction and deviation or innovation is frowned upon. Experience A leader’s level of experience, both as a leader and with a particular organisation can have an impact on his style. Someone who is new to a leadership role may be more inclined to lead â€Å"by the book† to avoid potential mistakes, while a more experienced leader will often feel more confident in following his own interpretation of rules and regulations. A leader who has been part of an organisation for many years will likely have a better understanding of the organisation’s nuances than a new member, so she may be more comfortable when making decisions.

Dna1 essays

Dna1 essays Fetal surgery itself is a relatively new procedure with only a few hundred attempts world wide. Because of the risk of inducing preterm labor and delivering so early in the pregnancy, fetal surgery traditionally was reserved for life- threatening circumstances. While spina bifida is not necessarily life- threatening, it is the most common debilitating birth defect, diagnosed in about one of every 1,000 here in the US. Babies born with spina bifida typically experience one or more lifelong and an sometimes devastating physical disabilities like weakness or paralysis in their lower limbs, loss of feeling, urinary and bowel dysfunction, and hydrocephalus (water on the brain). In addition some children also have skeletal deformation, sexual dysfunction, and mental impairment. Each child is an individual with differing degrees of disability. If we have the chance to lessen the extent of injury, why wouldnt we do that, asks Dr. Joseph Bruner, Director of Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy at Vanderbilt. (fetal-surgery.com/; 10/29/00; Copyright 1998-2000 fetal-surgery.com). Fetal surgery for spina bifida is intended to decrease the handicaps associated with spina bifida by protecting the fetuses previously exposed spinal tissue from additional damage by the amniotic fluid and intrauterine movement. Doctors say this procedure can not restore neurological function which has already been lost, but it may prevent additional loss from occurring due to the intrauterine environment. (fetal-surgery.com/; 10/29/00; Copyright 1998-2000 fetal-surgery.com). As an added and unexpected benefit, it was discovered that the procedure apparently affects the way the brain develops in utero, allowing certain malformations of the brain, typically associated with spina bifida to correct themselves. Its extraordinary that the malformation goes away, ...

BHM 443 -Legal Aspects of Health Care (Module 4-SLP) Essay

BHM 443 -Legal Aspects of Health Care (Module 4-SLP) - Essay Example The case was rather simple and the death of the victim could have been prevented. In fact, the cause of his death resulted from Clostridum difficile infection ( complication of antibiotic therapy ). The patient had dental abscess in which the doctor prescribed antibiotic therapy. Due to the aforementioned infection, the patient experienced severe diarrhea for five days that led to dehydration and shock. Unfortunately, the doctor did not even suspect that the cause could have been the antibiotics administered to the patient that led to C. dif infection. Later, the patient was transferred to Eden Medical Center since he was already in shock and undergoing respiratory distress on November 24, 2005. He died the following day and the coroner’s report showed that his death was the result of â€Å"cardiovascular collapse due to clostridium difficile infection.† What is unfortunate here is the fact that the patient’s death was not related to his mental illness nor its symptoms. Moreover, other medications such as Flagyl could have prevented the diarrhea if only the physician checked the charts well and studied the prolonged cause of diarrhea. â€Å"a cause of action for the death of a child who leaves no surviving spouse, issue, or issue of deceased children, caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another, may be asserted by decedents parents.†( CCP Section 377.60(a), Probate Code Section 6402, Nelson v County of Los Angeles (2003) 113 Cal.App.4th 783). The case was a clear manifestation of neglect from the doctor’s side since she did not even consider the idea that Clostridum difficile could have caused the diarrhea considering that the doctor was even a medical internist. The facility was also sued ( vicarious liability ) since the staff did not even inform the doctor that the patient’s condition worsened as he began soiling his

SCRUM METHODS Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

SCRUM METHODS - Assignment Example PMO members frequently view themselves as supporters and protectors of the practice. PMO, therefore, can help spread and implement flexible project management skills across the organization. The Scrum PMO scatters project management functions among team, the product owner, and the Scrum Master. 1a.There is a great deal to implementing Scrum that will be unfamiliar and new to many members of the team. The PMO, thus, can be of great assistance in designing a training program, picking outside instructors to offer the training, or providing the training themselves. Training is facilitated by the Program Officer. 1b.In most corporations with a PMO, there is commonly a weekly report or meeting on each project’s status with the head of department. Where a meeting is held, appropriate project personnel must attend it, for instance, the Scrum Master or product owner. In the case of a weekly, regular status report, the Project Management Office can help in organizing the report. The project manager is responsible for this function. The project manager also assists in controlling the rate upon which new projects stream into the development organization. As custodians of the process, PMO members work closely with the Scrum Masters of the organization to guarantee Scrum is executed over and above it can be. Scrum Master refers to a facilitator and coach for a team utilizing Scrum, helping the Scrum team to stay alert on the goals of the project and removing obstacles along the way. The work of a Scrum Master is to deliver utmost value to the consumer. A highly efficient Scrum Master accomplishes this by ascertaining that all concerned have the necessary resources; are protected from interruptions and distractions, and are communicating well. 2a.Scrum Masters work with Product Owners to provide a balance and check between maintaining efficiency and high quality, and getting more done. The