Values-Based Health & Social Care
Beyond Evidence-Based Practice
- Jill McCarthy - University of Chester, UK
- Pat Rose - University of Chester, UK
Is evidence-based practice really best practice? This is a hotly debated question in health and social care circles and the starting point for this book. Engaging firmly in the debate, Values-Based Health & Social Care calls into question the dominance of evidence-based practice and sets out an alternative vision of care which places holism, professional judgment, intuition, and client choice at its center.
Bringing together writers from a range of health and social care backgrounds, the book describes the rise of evidence-based practice and explores major criticisms of the approach. It argues that evidence should be seen as part of a broader vision of practice which places equal value on a holistic vision of the needs of patients and clients, professional knowledge and intuition, and seeing patients and clients as partners in their care.
Case studies are used throughout the book to help readers link the concepts to practice. The book concludes with suggestions on how to develop a values-based approach in practice and through professional education.
Values-Based Health & Social Care sets out key debates surrounding the nature of practice which will be of interest to students and practitioners alike.
This book was an informative book although at a much higher level than I would recomend as essential reading for a year 1 undergraduate nurse. However, for the more able students this text would be of significant value
Very useful book which challenges the reader to examine personally held beliefs. The vignettes are particularly powerful in assisting students to apply theory to practice.
Although this book has some useful features and discusses an interesting concept, there are other resources that students would access prior to delving into this text. The aspects exploring service user involvement are interesting and the vignettes could potentially be used as triggers for further. I am sure this book has its place and may be used to facilitate debate within the team, but is unlikely to be a key resource for our students.
This text is a powerful reminder of the lost aspects of social work practice in regards to 'perception', those of the service user, colleagues, other professions and indeed the practitioner. We deny the value of perceptions through the purely reductionist reliance on evidence. The text reminds practitioners of the imperative of considering the individuals views however much we disagree with those views there needs to be an acknowledgement of the validity of the emotional resonance of perception and feelings.
A highly useful text within the contemporary field of SW practice, thank you.
A good holistic approach to values in Health & Social Care; the vignettes give clear examples and add the detail that aid understanding of these often complex issues
A basic approach but would be extremely valuable to undergraduate students. I would recommend it.
A strategy-laden text with proactive suggestions for challenging non-evidential factors which negate evidence application in practice. A winner of hearts and minds.
An alternative view of evidence affecting health care which argues that caring is also an important view
Some of the content is suitable for supplemental but there is not enough depth to use as a recommended book.
This is a very useful resource book to direct students to and also to assist with teaching.
