Challenges in the Operationalization of Mental Health Quality Measures: An Assessment of Alternatives.
Interest in measuring the quality of mental health services has increased, but challenges remain in moving from general standards of quality and best practices to specific, implementable quality measures. The International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership identified 656 mental health quality measures and then applied a modified Delphi approach to assess various available alternative quality measures. Panel members considered issues of data source, segmentation, and thresholds. Policy makers and organizations will need to make difficult choices about accountability, purpose, feasibility, and validity in order to operationalize quality measurement. Empirical data can help guide them in this process.
Dr. Iyer is with the VISN2 South Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and with the Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, both in New York City (e-mail: sharat.iyer@mssm.edu ). Ms. Spaeth-Rublee is with the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City. Dr. Pincus is with the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, both in New York City. Marcela Horvitz-Lennon, M.D., M.P.H., is editor of this column.
Sharat P
SP
Iyer
Dr. Iyer is with the VISN2 South Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and with the Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, both in New York City (e-mail: sharat.iyer@mssm.edu ). Ms. Spaeth-Rublee is with the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City. Dr. Pincus is with the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, both in New York City. Marcela Horvitz-Lennon, M.D., M.P.H., is editor of this column.
Brigitta
B
Spaeth-Rublee
Dr. Iyer is with the VISN2 South Mental Illness Research, Education and Clinical Center, James J. Peters Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and with the Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, both in New York City (e-mail: sharat.iyer@mssm.edu ). Ms. Spaeth-Rublee is with the New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City. Dr. Pincus is with the Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, both in New York City. Marcela Horvitz-Lennon, M.D., M.P.H., is editor of this column.
Harold A
HA
Pincus
D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D019984:Quality Indicators, Health Care / Q000592:standards*