RRTC-EBP-VR

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Effective Vocational Rehabilitation Service Delivery Practices (RRTC-EBP-VR) is established at both the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout

under a grant from the Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) grant number PR# H133B100034.

Promoting Evidence-Based Vocational Rehabilitation Practice

John Lui Ph.D., MBA, CRC

Cayte Anderson ABD, CRC

National Employment ConferenceArlington, VirginiaDecember 6, 2012

• Rehabilitation• Research &• Training• Center for

• Evidence-• Based • Practice in

• Vocational • Rehabilitation

What does this stand for?

The RRTC-EBP-VR is a national research collaborative partnered by the following key institutions and organizations:

The University of Wisconsin – Madison Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education

The University of Wisconsin – Stout Stout Vocational Rehabilitation Institute (SVRI)

Michigan State University

The University of Texas – El Paso

Southern University at Baton Rouge

What does the RRTC-EBP-VR do?

•Conduct research on evidence-based practice

•Provide VR practitioners with knowledge and tools for implementing evidence-based vocational rehabilitation practices

•Goal: improve employment rates and quality of employment for people with disabilities

How does the RRTC-EBP-VR function?

Vocational Rehab

Practitioners

Community Partners

Rehab Researchers

Families and Individuals

with Disabilities

Our Goal…

• To ensure that new knowledge gained through the course of research ultimately improves the lives of people with disabilities, and furthers their participation in society (NIDRR, 2005).

Research Initiatives

Phase 1– ID practices that improve employment rates, and quality

of employment.– ID best practices among state VR agencies.

Phase 2– Develop new knowledge regarding best practices.

Phase 3– Develop reliable tools that counselors can easily use.

What is Evidence Based Practice?

• Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is “…a clinical decision-making process beginning with formulating clinical questions to ask, determining the best practice, and critically appraising the evidence for validity and applicability to the particular situation." (Chan et al. 2010).

What does EBP Involve?

• Asking critical questions• Identifying reliable sources of information• Evaluating the significance of the evidence• Using professional expertise and judgment

Critical Questions:

Background – to obtain general information about setting or context

• What are the most effective treatments for presenting issue Y?

• Is treatment X an effective treatment for presenting issue Y?

• Are there any significant risks associated with treatment X?

Critical Questions:

Foreground – to obtain information about a specific case within context

Ask in PICO format:P - Patient group (also referred to as “consumers” within VR)I – InterventionC - Comparison group O - Outcome Measures

Example: For an Hmong man with bipolar disorder (patient/consumer group), is there any evidence that the individual placement and support model of supported employment (Intervention) is superior to state VR services (comparison group) in improving the quality of his employment outcome (Outcome)?

5 Levels of EBP

Level 1Systematic review of multiple, well designed, randomized controlled

trials.

Level 2Properly designed, randomized controlled trials of appropriate size.

Level 3Well-designed trials, single-group pre-post, cohort, time series, or

matched case-controlled studies

Level 4 Well-designed non-experimental studies

Level 5Opinions of respected authorities based on clinical evidence, descriptive

studies, or reports of expert committees

3E’s

EfficacyStatistical and clinical significance

EffectivenessUsefulness

EfficiencyCost Effectiveness

• Knowledge Translation (KT) is the process of taking information gained from relevant research and delivering it to Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in a clear and useable format.

Research Practice

What is Knowledge Translation?

Knowledge-to-Action Process

Our Study

“Engaging Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors in Knowledge Translation Processes: A Participatory Action Approach”

•Identify incentives, barriers, and specific training needs of vocational rehabilitation counselors

•Participation in a Knowledge Translation process

•Enable implementation of evidence-based practices and services within VR

Study Demographics

• Disseminated nationally to state-federal VR• N=938 – 10.4% response rate• 87% - “Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor”• 13% - District and Area Manager, Supervisor,

Specialist, and Case Coordinator

Specific Knowledge-to-Action Questions

How interested are you in ACQUIRING new knowledge that promotes evidence-based practice in VR?

How interested are you in APPLYING new knowledge that may affect employment outcomes for people with disabilities?

How interested are you in SHARING new knowledge that may affect employment outcomes for people with disabilities?

Age

Experience

Preferred Format

In what areas would VRC’s benefit from receiving more information and training?

• Disability-specific strategies connected with successful employment outcomes

• Employer Needs & Labor Market Demands

• Skill Development

• Develop a better understanding of disability-specific strategies

• Improve efficient use of time and resources• Improve employment outcomes• Assess client motivation• Improve understanding of disability-related

laws and policies

Where do VRC’s believe training in EBP could help them perform their job differently?

Challenges

• Time Constraints• Difficulty Obtaining the Technology• Access needed to participate

How can information provided through the RRTC-EBP-VR be of value?

• Efficient• Meaningful• Training practical and accessible at anytime• Forums and social media important • Medium for peer-to-peer sharing of

information

Communicate important research findings related to high performing state VR programs

Showcase effective Vocational Rehabilitation Service Delivery

Enhance and influence policy development to improve outcomes in the Vocational Rehabilitation System

Demonstrate effective tools, strategies, and relationships for sharing key information

Improve employment and quality of employment outcomes for people with disabilities who receive services from state Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies

What is the desired impact of the RRTC-EBP-VR?

If you want to improve employment and quality of work outcomes for people with disabilities,

make OUR research, YOUR best practice!

www.research2VRpractice.org

EBP Resources

RRTC-EBP-VR

The Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Effective Vocational Rehabilitation Service Delivery Practices (RRTC-EBP-VR) is established at both the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout

under a grant from the Department of Education, National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) grant number PR# H133B100034.

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