Michael S. Levy, PhD (CAB Health and Recovery Services, NNE Node).

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The importance of implementing evidence-based practices has taken over health care, whether in the mental health, medical, or substance use treatment realms. While well-intentioned and important, the implementation of evidence-based practices is only one aspect of quality care. In fact, there are many other elements of treatment that are at least as important as offering evidence-based practices, and this is particularly true in levels of care other than traditional outpatient. Other elements of care essential to quality treatment include:

• Monitoring and ensuring a positive therapeutic alliance between clients and providers –- Much research has documented the relationship between positive treatment outcome and a positive therapeutic alliance;
• Monitoring and ensuring high customer satisfaction -– Regardless of the specific treatment offered, it is essential to monitor and address customer satisfaction, as without this, clients will not obtain benefit from treatment
• Monitoring administrative discharges -– In residential treatment programs, clients are often discharged for non-compliance with treatment. This needs close monitoring, as from experience, administrative discharges have more to do with staff than with clients
• Ensuring readily-available treatment access -– When individuals are ready to enter treatment, treatment needs to be available. Treatment not being available or long waiting periods to enter treatment will result in lost opportunities
• Monitoring no-show rates and overall treatment retention –- People have to come to treatment and be retained for treatment to be effective. Thus, a focus on this is necessary
• Ensuring clients’ multiple treatment needs are addressed –- Either in-house or through linkages, clients’ other problems need to be addressed;
• Ongoing quality improvement –- To ensure quality treatment, a culture of continuous quality improvement must be developed.

This presentation will highlight other important aspects of care that must not be forgotten while programs are focused on implementing evidence-based practices. (Presentation, PowerPoint slides, English, 2007)

Keywords: Adoption of interventions | Community health services | Evidence-based treatment | Quality improvement (QI) | Retention | Therapeutic alliance | Training | American Psychological Association (APA) annual convention, 2007

Document No: 228

Submitted by Michael S. Levy, PhD, NNE Node.