Implementing interpersonal and social rhythm therapy for mood disorders across a continuum of care.
OBJECTIVE
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT) is an evidence-based psychotherapy for mood disorders. The goal of this quality improvement initiative was to demonstrate feasibility of implementing IPSRT across the continuum of outpatient and inpatient care within an academic medical center.


METHODS
A multidisciplinary work group was convened to implement IPSRT in outpatient (N=48), inpatient (N=602), and intensive outpatient (N=68) programs of an academic medical center. Quality improvement performance markers (including symptoms and group attendance rates) were collected.


RESULTS
Institutional preference for group treatments required adaptation of IPSRT from an individual to group psychotherapy format. Iterative problem solving and protocol development resulted in models of group IPSRT appropriate for each level of care. Performance outcome markers were favorable, indicating feasibility of implementation.


CONCLUSIONS
At a single, multisite, urban, academic medical center, IPSRT proved a feasible evidence-based psychotherapy for implementation across levels of care in routine practice.
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. swartzha@upmc.edu
Holly A
HA
Swartz
Ellen
E
Frank
Kelly
K
O'Toole
Nathan
N
Newman
Helen
H
Kiderman
Scott
S
Carlson
Janis W
JW
Fink
Yu
Y
Cheng
Catherine C
CC
Maihoefer
Kelly Forster
KF
Wells
Patricia R
PR
Houck
Tiffany
T
Painter
Sara H
SH
Ortenzio
Stacy L
SL
Simon
Perry
P
Henschke
Frank
F
Ghinassi
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011615:Psychotherapy, Group / Q000379:methods*; D058996:Quality Improvement