Abstract:
A very recent initiative has been taken by psychologists, evidence based practice (EBPP)
to improve patients‟ care by inculcating research based best evidence along with
clinicians‟ expertise in the field and judgment in context of patients‟ needs and values.
EBP is key to the ethical practice as it not only confirms providing the best available
services that are beneficial for the clients and but also avoid maleficence. EBP is
established in the developed countries within an established system of mental health.
However, in the current context of Pakistan few researchers have emphasized on practice
of EBP. The aim of this research is to understand the level of awareness/recognition and
knowledge of trainee psychologists about evidence based practices. The sample consists
of 120 males and females graduate and post graduate trainee psychologists doing
internships at government and private hospitals .The data was collected through non
probability convenient and purposive sampling. The data was collected form major cities
of Pakistan Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi .The study variables measured
through adapted version of Evidence Based Practices Attitude Scale (Lubbe, 2007). For
data analysis, descriptive statistics, Cross Tabulations, T-Test, One way ANOVA were
used. The result revealed that women psychologists were more involved in clinical based
practices. Increase in education level has positive impact on knowledge of EBPP and
increase in practice years does not add into knowledge of EBPP. Result also showed that
participants were flexible to adopt new research based practices but lack of knowledge of
EBP among fresh graduates is quite evident. With practice they get command on their
clinical skills, but the utilization of research for skill enhancement is low.
