From Research to Practice: Designing a Treatment Program for Individuals Convicted of Child Sexual Exploitation Material

The term evidence-based is increasingly found in treatment manuals and program titles designed for individuals convicted of a sexual offense. However, whether the presented evidence truly qualifies as “evidence-based” is questionable. I will share my experience as the clinical director for a private outpatient agency where we designed a program based on the existing peer-reviewed literature on individuals convicted of Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) offenses. I will describe the steps that we followed in developing a workgroup to explore and apply the knowledge from research to our clinical practice. We adapted the term evidence-informed to acknowledge that the program relied on existing literature in combination with the experiences and expertise of our clinical team. A fictitious case that reflects an amalgamation of facts is presented to demonstrate the assessment and treatment processes. Implications for organizational consensus to conduct program evaluation and research are discussed.

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A Billion Distorted Thoughts: An Exploratory Study of Criminogenic Cognitions Among Men Who Sexually Exploit Children Over the Internet

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology ◽

10.1177/0306624x19873082 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 64 (10-11) ◽

pp. 1114-1133 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Sarah Paquette ◽

Nicholas Longpré ◽

Franca Cortoni

Keyword(s):

Exploratory Study ◽

Sexual Offending ◽

Sexual Exploitation ◽

The Internet ◽

Sexual Offense ◽

Sexual Offenses ◽

Child Sexual Exploitation ◽

Criminal Charges ◽

Criminal Behaviors

There is evidence that endorsing a higher level of offense-supportive cognitions is associated with contact sexual offending. Such an association assumes the construct of cognitions as unidimensional, thus ignoring the possibility that specific subtypes of cognitions exist and that certain may be criminogenic. To investigate this possibility, this study aimed at examining the associations between criminal behaviors and cognitive themes found in the discourse of men who engage in sexual offenses against children over the Internet. Through the discourse of a sample of 60 men with online child sexual exploitation material and solicitation offenses, a previous study identified eight cognitive themes: Uncontrollability, Nature of harm, Child as sexual being, Child as partner, Dangerous world, Entitlement, Virtual is not real, and Internet is uncontrollable. These themes were not investigated for their criminogenic nature. Thus, in this study, bivariate analyses were used to determine whether these cognitive themes were linked to three indicators of criminal behaviors: the extent of criminal charges, the diversity of offending behaviors, and the nature of contact with victims. Results suggest that, taken as a whole, online sexual offense–supportive cognitions may not be criminogenic. Moreover, only cognitive themes related to antisocial orientation and atypical sexuality were found linked with criminal behaviors, although associations found remain limited. Findings and associated implications are further discussed for research and clinical purposes.

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International Examination and Synthesis of the Primary and Secondary Surveys in Paramedicine

Irish Journal of Paramedicine ◽

10.32378/ijp.v3i2.91 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marc A Colbeck ◽

Sonja Maria ◽

Georgette Eaton ◽

Craig B Campbell ◽

Alan M Batt ◽

...

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Clinical Practice ◽

United Arab Emirates ◽

Practice Guidelines ◽

Best Practice ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Treatment Algorithms ◽

Practice Recommendations ◽

Assessment And Treatment ◽

Secondary Survey

BackgroundTo guide their care paramedics routinely rely upon two assessment and treatment algorithms, known as the primary survey and the secondary survey. No clear consensus of the concepts (assessments and interventions) that are, or should be, included in these algorithms exist internationally. Methods This paper evaluated Australasian paramedic clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), as well as six other international paramedic CPGs (USA, Ireland, UK, South Africa, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates) in order to identify which concepts are currently described in best-practice recommendations for paramedics. The authors also contributed concepts that they felt were important additions based on their experience as veteran paramedics and paramedic educators.Results The resulting amalgamation of concepts identified in each term was then formed into two mnemonics which, together sequentially list approximately 100 specific clinical concepts that paramedics routinely consider in their care of patients. We describe these as the “International Paramedic Primary and Secondary Surveys”.Conclusion The primary and secondary surveys presented in this paper represent an evidence-based guide to the best practice in conducting a primary and secondary survey in the paramedic context. Findings will be of use to paramedics, paramedic students, and other clinicians working in remote or isolated practices.

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Development of a Case Formulation Model for Individuals Who Have Viewed, Distributed, and/or Shared Child Sexual Exploitation Material

International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology ◽

10.1177/0306624x17748067 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 64 (10-11) ◽

pp. 1055-1073 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Hannah L. Merdian ◽

Derek E. Perkins ◽

Elspeth Dustagheer ◽

Emily Glorney

Keyword(s):

Sexual Exploitation ◽

Sexual History ◽

Case Formulation ◽

Developmental Context ◽

Treatment Providers ◽

Child Sexual Exploitation ◽

Assessment And Treatment ◽

Internet Environment ◽

Offending Behaviour ◽

The Individual

Increases in the number of arrests of individuals who download or distribute Child Sexual Exploitation Material (CSEM) have highlighted a need to further understand the offending pathways of this offender group. This article describes the development of an aetiological model specific to CSEM offending. Individuals who had viewed, distributed, and/or shared CSEM ( n = 20) were interviewed regarding their life and sexual history, relationships, substance use, offending details, and circumstances leading to their CSEM offending, resulting in seven superordinate themes: Developmental Context, Individual Propensities (risk-related and risk-protective) and Psychological Vulnerabilities, Personal Circumstances, Permission-Giving Thoughts, Internet Environment and Behaviour, Evaluation of Consequences for the Individual, and Desistance. These themes were combined into a case formulation tool specific for CSEM offending behaviour, with the aim of providing systematic guidance for assessment and treatment providers.

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Meeting the Best Practice for Hearing Aid Verification in Children: Challenges and Future Directions

American Journal of Audiology ◽

10.1044/2019_aja-18-0156 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 877-894

Author(s):

Nur Azyani Amri ◽

Tian Kar Quar ◽

Foong Yen Chong

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Best Practice ◽

Hearing Aid ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Future Directions ◽

Major Barrier ◽

Klang Valley ◽

Age Range ◽

Fitting Hearing Aids

Purpose This study examined the current pediatric amplification practice with an emphasis on hearing aid verification using probe microphone measurement (PMM), among audiologists in Klang Valley, Malaysia. Frequency of practice, access to PMM system, practiced protocols, barriers, and perception toward the benefits of PMM were identified through a survey. Method A questionnaire was distributed to and filled in by the audiologists who provided pediatric amplification service in Klang Valley, Malaysia. One hundred eight ( N = 108) audiologists, composed of 90.3% women and 9.7% men (age range: 23–48 years), participated in the survey. Results PMM was not a clinical routine practiced by a majority of the audiologists, despite its recognition as the best clinical practice that should be incorporated into protocols for fitting hearing aids in children. Variations in practice existed warranting further steps to improve the current practice for children with hearing impairment. The lack of access to PMM equipment was 1 major barrier for the audiologists to practice real-ear verification. Practitioners' characteristics such as time constraints, low confidence, and knowledge levels were also identified as barriers that impede the uptake of the evidence-based practice. Conclusions The implementation of PMM in clinical practice remains a challenge to the audiology profession. A knowledge-transfer approach that takes into consideration the barriers and involves effective collaboration or engagement between the knowledge providers and potential stakeholders is required to promote the clinical application of evidence-based best practice.

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What Does Evidence-Based Practice Mean to You? A Follow-Up Study Examining School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists' Perspectives on Evidence-Based Practice

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology ◽

10.1044/2019_ajslp-19-00171 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 688-704

Author(s):

Katrina Fulcher-Rood ◽

Anny Castilla-Earls ◽

Jeff Higginbotham

Keyword(s):

Clinical Practice ◽

Research Evidence ◽

Evidence Based Practice ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Clinical Expertise ◽

Speech Language Pathologists ◽

School Based ◽

Research Findings ◽

Ebp Implementation

Purpose The current investigation is a follow-up from a previous study examining child language diagnostic decision making in school-based speech-language pathologists (SLPs). The purpose of this study was to examine the SLPs' perspectives regarding the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) in their clinical work. Method Semistructured phone interviews were conducted with 25 school-based SLPs who previously participated in an earlier study by Fulcher-Rood et al. 2018). SLPs were asked questions regarding their definition of EBP, the value of research evidence, contexts in which they implement scientific literature in clinical practice, and the barriers to implementing EBP. Results SLPs' definitions of EBP differed from current definitions, in that SLPs only included the use of research findings. SLPs seem to discuss EBP as it relates to treatment and not assessment. Reported barriers to EBP implementation were insufficient time, limited funding, and restrictions from their employment setting. SLPs found it difficult to translate research findings to clinical practice. SLPs implemented external research evidence when they did not have enough clinical expertise regarding a specific client or when they needed scientific evidence to support a strategy they used. Conclusions SLPs appear to use EBP for specific reasons and not for every clinical decision they make. In addition, SLPs rely on EBP for treatment decisions and not for assessment decisions. Educational systems potentially present other challenges that need to be considered for EBP implementation. Considerations for implementation science and the research-to-practice gap are discussed.

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