Ashford University A Patient with Paranoid Schizophrenia Discussion

focus on “describing” the social work client’s background and problems. More specifically, you will need to describe the client background in general terms (e.g., ethnicity, age, gender, family background).  Next, you will need to define and describe the client problem of interest in general terms.  For instance, what brings the client to treatment (e.g., drug abuse, marital problems, & mental health issues)? This should include a discussion of the client problem’s epidemiology (prevalence) and its etiology (causes), based on a review of the literature.

Next, you will need to define and describe at least one intervention to deal with the client’s problem(s).  This should include a review of the theoretical, empirical, and clinical literature.  Focus on the evidence-based literature and find an intervention that could help you alleviate at least one of the client’s problems.  For instance, if your client is struggling with depression then use an intervention from the literature that has been shown to help this particular type of client (e.g., cognitive-behavioral therapy).  Also include information about treating this problem that is based on your own practice wisdom.  For example, what interventions are used at your field placement or place of employment for this type of client or what types of interventions have you used in the past?  Make sure to fully discuss the intervention components.

Next, you will need to state your intervention hypothesis; that is, based on the forgoing discussion, state the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.  Remember, the independent variable is the type of intervention that will be used, and the dependent variable is the client problem.  For instance, Sally is struggling with depression and a social worker plans to use cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) to help Sally alleviate her depressive symptoms.  Below is an example of an intervention hypothesis:

“Receiving 8 weeks of CBT will reduce Sally’s Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) score by 25 points”

Resources

• Textbook: Single-case experimental designs for clinical research and neurorehabilitation settings: Planning, conduct, analysis and reporting
• Video: Single Case Designs

Instructions

1. Review the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.
2. For your Assignment activity:
   1. Identify an “actual” client that you plan on evaluating for your practice evaluation plan.
   2. Describe your client’s background in general terms (e.g., ethnicity, age, gender, family background).
   3. Define and describe your client’s problem of interest in general terms, including a discussion of the client problem’s epidemiology (prevalence) and its etiology (causes).
   4. Define and describe at least one intervention to deal with the client’s problem.
   5. State your intervention hypothesis that is based on the foregoing discussion.
      1. Also stating the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable.