Gambling, Gaming & Technology Use
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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.

References

Epstein, I. (2009). Promoting harmony where there is commonly conflict: Evidence-informed practice as an integrative strategy. Social Work in Health Care, 48(3), 216-231. DOI: 10.1080/00981380802589845
Nevo, I., & Slonim-Nevo, V. (2011). The myth of evidence-based practice: Towards evidence-informed practice. British Journal of Social Work, 41(6), 1176–1197. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcq149
Rycroft‐Malone, J. O. (2008). Evidence‐informed practice: from individual to context. Journal of Nursing Management, 16(4), 404–408. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2008.00859.x
Sackett, D. L., Rosenberg, W. M., Gray, J. M., Haynes, R. B., & Richardson, W. S. (1996). Evidence based medicine: what it is and what it isn't. BMJ, 312, 71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.312.7023.71
Shera, W., & Dill, K. (2012). Promoting evidence-informed practice in child welfare in Ontario: progress, challenges and future directions. Research on Social Work Practice, 22(2), 204–213. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049731511406552

Interventions, models, and clinical tools

Interventions

Cognitive-behavioural therapy

CBT has been studied extensively as a treatment for clients with gambling problems.

Trauma-informed care

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

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

Transtheoretical Model (Stages of Change)

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

Clinical tools

SBIRT for Problem Gambling

A toolkit for screening and intervening with problematic gambling behaviours

Screening & Assessment

Screening and assessment tools help you identify clients with a gambling problem and develop a treatment plan.

Inventory of Gambling Situations

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

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

Problem Technology Use

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

Concurrent Disorders

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

Other concerns

Suicide

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

Poverty, Gambling and Homelessness

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

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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