A framework for evidence-based mental health care and policy.
OBJECTIVE
Care planning integrates a growing number of disciplines, research fields and analysis techniques. A framework of the main areas of interest with regard to evidence-based health care in mental health is provided here.


METHODS
The framework is based on the experience of working with data analysts and health and social decision makers at the PSICOST/RIRAG network, a Spanish research association which includes psychiatrists, health economists and health policy experts, as well as on a review of the literature.


RESULTS
Three main areas have been identified and described here: outcomes management, knowledge discovery from data, and decision support systems. Their use in mental health care is reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to promote bridging strategies among these new fields in order to enhance communication and information transfer between the different parts involved in mental health decision making: i) clinicians and epidemiologists, ii) data analysts, iii) care policy makers and other end-users.
Salvador-Carulla
L
L
PSICOST Research Association, Jerez de la Frontera, Spain. luis.salvador@telefonica.net
Haro
J M
JM
Ayuso-Mateos
J L
JL
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D011634:Public Health / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D013030:Spain