Treatment Outcomes in Psychotherapy and Psychiatric Interventions

Mental health treatment has entered a new era. In it, cost-effective, efficient treatment outcomes have become the norm for the provision of mental health services - a norm that is very different from the one in which most providers were trained.

Confusion and concern are the results of this new paradigm. Some professionals view outcome systems as an intrusion into their practice and as a breach of confidentiality. Others are trying to adapt to the system. All are asking such basic questions as: 'What are treatment outcomes?' 'How are they measured?' 'What are the implications for practice?' And the literature on outcomes research geared towards professionals - which would provide answers - has been virtually non-existent until now.

In Treatment Outcomes in Psychotherapy and Psychiatric Interventions, the authors have created a road map to guide you through the theoretical and clinical territories that you will have to negotiate on the way to treatment accountability.

Part one provides an overview of the clinical issues associated with treatment outcomes. Here, you will find discussions of outcomes measures, monitoring and management, clinical trial outcomes research, in addition to the necessary shift from generic to prescriptive treatment.

Part two covers clinical applications of outcomes measures to outpatient psychiatry, inpatient treatment, substance abuse treatment, medication management, behavioural medicine, and primary care. Several types of outcomes measures and management systems are described and illustrated with case examples.

Treatment Outcomes in Psychotherapy and Psychiatric Interventions is nothing less than a survival manual for providers confronting the avalanche of changes in clinical practice today, and who now have to work within the guidelines of managed care. It will also be of interest to case managers, students, benefits managers, and executives, managers and consultants of managed care organizations.