title: Implementing evidence-based practices for persons with severe mental illnesses.
abstract: Extensive empirical research, summarized in several reviews and codified in practice guidelines, recommendations, and algorithms, demonstrates that several pharmacological and psychosocial interventions are effective in improving the lives of persons with severe mental illnesses. Yet the practices validated by research are not widely offered in routine mental health practice settings. As part of an effort to promote the implementation of evidence-based practice, the authors summarize perspectives on how best to change and sustain effective practice from the research literature and from the experiences of administrators, clinicians, family advocates, and services researchers. They describe an implementation plan for evidence-based practices based on the use of toolkits to promote the consistent delivery of such practices. The toolkits will include integrated written material, Web-based resources, training experiences, and consultation opportunities. Special materials will address the concerns of mental health authorities (funders), administrators of provider organizations, clinicians, and consumers and their families.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Dartmouth Medical School, Hanover, NH, USA. william.c.torrey@dartmouth.edu
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Torrey
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dixon
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Flynn
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Rush
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Klatzker
mesh_terms: D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000639:trends; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011331:Private Practice / Q000639:trends; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000193:education / Q000639:trends*; D013664:Teaching Materials; D014481:United States