I.

Title/Topic
On the need for evidence-based general and family practice

II. Research findings

There is no widely agreed-upon definition for what constitutes "current best evidence" in the field
of child and family services. This could be owing to the fact that randomized studies are more
difficult to conduct in this sector than in medicine. The Educational Before Birth (EBP) resource is a
nationally sanctioned database of evidence-based educational programs in the United States. Other
EBP tools are created by research organizations that analyze the quality of the evidence and present
it in a form that decisionmakers may use. Some EBP resources, such as PPN, accept research that
meets less stringent requirements and place it in a lower-criteria category. This is done to make the
most of the "currently best evidence" information available to you.

III. Conclusion
Over the last decade and a half, strong research evidence on what works to improve outcomes in
the field of child and family services has proliferated, as have EBP resources to assist policymakers and
others in evaluating the increasing research. The expansion of research and EBP resources has resulted
in a plethora of definitions of what qualifies as "evidence." While there is discussion about what
constitutes an EBP, definitions share several evidentiary requirements. Decisionmakers can detect EBPs
using tools such as PPN and others indicated in this document. PPN facilitates this process by offering a
list of Other Examined Programs in addition to programs reviewed in-house, allowing users to find the
"current best evidence" on programs.

Name: Mara D. Oropa

Section: N24