Swedish Agency for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services
Evidence and evidence-based practices in social services
Equitable social services based on sound research. This concept is the foundation on which SBU produces scientifically supported research.
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Every year, approximately 800,000 people benefit from Swedish social services. Beneficiaries include the elderly, children, adolescents and families. But how much evidence is there to support that the outcomes are those that were desired?
“It is important for society as a whole that social services’ interventions are based on sound research to establish what actually works.
However, research on interventions and methods in social work is in part based on different premises than, for example, in health care and dental care,” according to Britta Björkholm, Director General for the Swedish Agency on Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (SBU).
SBU helps to identify solid well-founded science for health care and social services.SBU culls. And reviews. And assesses.
When all is said and done, just a few reliable studies may remain from the tens of thousands of articles identified in SBU’s literature searches. A search may run the gamut from foster care to elderly care. High-quality assessment is more important than ever as research articles are being published at an ever-faster pace. SBU has the tools and the expertise, according to Britta Björkholm.
“SBU is tasked with specific assignments from sources such as the government, but we also address research questions that we consider to be especially pressing. We also serve as a source of information to other authorities, such as the Family Law and Parental Support Authority (Myndigheten för familjerätt och föräldraskapsstöd) and the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen).”
As a component of national knowledge management, the National Board of Health and Welfare provides guidance for social services, founded upon evidence-based practice (EBP). In EBP, the scientific basis is one of several aspects that decision-makers must take into account. Other aspects may include proven experience, as well as the practical and organizational circumstances relating to the intervention.
“Even if there is no scientific basis for an intervention, it does not necessarily mean that the intervention is ineffective, we just don’t know for sure. EBP also means taking into account the needs of the individual for support.”
SBU has evaluated research in several areas of social services. In this issue of Medical and Social Services Science & Practice, we share some reports that have already been published, as well as others that are in the pipeline for 2023.
