A collaborative approach to identifying effective incentives for mental health clinicians to improve depression care in a large managed behavioral healthcare organization.
This descriptive study used stakeholder input to prioritize evidence-based strategies for improving depression care and to select incentives for mental health clinicians to adopt those strategies, and to conduct a feasibility test of an incentive-based program in a managed behavioral healthcare organization (MBHO). In two rounds of interviews and a stakeholder meeting, MBHO administrators and clinicians selected increasing combination treatment (antidepressant plus psychotherapy) rates as the program goal; and paying a bonus for case reviews, clinician feedback, and clinician education as incentives. We assessed program feasibility with case review and clinician surveys from a large independent practice association that contracts with the MBHO. Findings suggest that providing incentives for mental health clinicians is feasible and the incentive program did increase awareness. However, adoption may be challenging because of administrative barriers and limited clinical data available to MBHOs.
Meredith
Lisa S
LS
RAND Corporation, Santa Monica, CA 90407-2138, USA. lisa_meredith@rand.org
Branstrom
Robert B
RB
Azocar
Francisca
F
Fikes
Ruth
R
Ettner
Susan L
SL
D000928:Antidepressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006279:Health Maintenance Organizations / Q000458:organization & administration; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009042:Motivation; D010816:Physician Incentive Plans / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011613:Psychotherapy; D011787:Quality of Health Care
D000928:Antidepressive Agents