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Gambling, Gaming & Technology Use
Knowledge Exchange

Evidence-Informed Practice

What is Evidence-Informed Practice?

Evidence-informed practice, sometimes called evidence-based practice, is a client-centred approach to clinical decision making. It’s a way to solve problems by integrating the best available research evidence with the clinician’s experience, the client’s preferences and values, and the organizational and cultural context.1,2,3,4,5

Evidence-informed practice helps clinicians be more effective, efficient, and accountable, while achieving better outcomes for clients.2

Given the importance of their work, clinicians are expected and seek to ensure that their approach to client screening, assessment, and treatment is grounded in an understanding of what has been shown to be effective.1,2,3,4,5

In this section of learn.problemgambling.ca, you will find easy-to-read, practical, evidence-informed information for clinicians that identifies effective screening, assessment, and interventions for clients with gambling, gaming, and technology use problems. Each webpage in this section is based on a review of the pertinent research literature and was reviewed by an expert in the field of problem gambling, gaming, and technology use.

We are committed to continuous improvement so please give us your feedback and suggestions on this section of our website.

Special section

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ONLINE GAMBLING DURING COVID-19

The gambling environment in Ontario changed due to COVID-19 .While this lack of availability may prevent some people from gambling during this time, others may choose to gamble online.





Interventions, models, and clinical tools

Interventions

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Cognitive-behavioural therapy

CBT has been studied extensively as a treatment for clients with gambling problems.
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Trauma-informed care

Trauma-informed care is a clinical approach that recognizes that each person perceives and processes trauma differently.
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Relapse Prevention

It is important to develop a relapse prevention plan with your clients to ensure they have the knowledge and skills they need to achieve their treatment goals.

Models

this is an image of an icon representing the Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)

Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)

The transtheoretical model suggests that changing one's health behaviours involves moving through five cognitive stages.

Clinical tools

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SBIRT for Problem Gambling

A toolkit for screening and intervening with problematic gambling behaviours

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Screening & Assessment

Screening and assessment tools help you identify clients with a gambling problem and develop a treatment plan.
this is an image of an icon representing Inventory of Gambling Situations

Inventory of Gambling Situations

The IGS is a questionnaire that helps identify clients with gambling problems and develop a treatment plan.
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Mental Status Examination

The MSE is a structured way to evaluate a client’s emotional, cognitive, and behavioural state.

Populations, disorders, and other concerns

Populations

Youth Problem Gambling

Youth have higher rates of problem gambling than adults and different factors that affect their problem gambling risk.

ADULT Problem Gambling

Problem gambling in adulthood can lead to psychological, physiological, social, financial, and criminal consequences.

Disorders

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Problem Technology Use

Technology is embedded in our daily lives, yet its excessive use can lead to a variety of negative consequences.
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Concurrent Disorders

People with gambling problems often have concurrent, or co-occurring, problems that need to be addressed.

Other concerns

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Suicide

People with gambling problems have higher rates of suicide and need ongoing suicide assessments.


this is an image of an icon Poverty, Gambling and Homelessness

Poverty, Gambling and Homelessness

People who are poor and homeless have higher rates of gambling problems than the general population.
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Problem Shopping

Problem shopping shares many similarities with problem gambling and technology use and can negatively affect social, family and financial well-being.

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HEALTH EQUITY AND DIVERSE POPULATIONS

Health is influenced by many intersecting factors randing from personal, social, economic and environmental.