The Development of an Operational Manual for the Assessment of Mental Health Treatment Open Access

Abstract

Background: The mental health care assessment field is largely qualitatively based, with treatment decisions primarily based on observations of client interaction and professional opinion. Like other mental health care organizations, Skyland Trail counselors use qualitative assessments and narratives to determine treatment outcomes and future courses of action. Quantitative data along with qualitative assessment ensures a more complete picture of client outcomes and ensures a standard of care across clients.

Aim: This special studies project was undertaken to promote the use of quantitative diagnosis-specific assessment data when making decisions about treatment.

Methods: A structured self-administered questionnaire was developed for counselors to counselors to assess attitudes towards the diagnosis-specific assessments. An operational manual with supplementary presentation slides was developed for use during training of current and future counselors. The manual emphasizes the importance of evidence-based assessment in evidence-based treatment and reinforces the diagnosis-specific assessments as the gold standard for quantitative evaluation of mental health symptoms.

Significance: Collecting both qualitative and quantitative evidence of treatment outcomes will demonstrate the efficacy of the Skyland Trail therapeutic model and improve treatment strategies.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………….................................3

Background…………………………………………...................................3

Problem Statement………………………………....................................6

Purpose Statement and Objectives……............................................6

Significance………………………………………………………....................7

Chapter 2: Comprehensive Review of the Literature….......................8

Assessment Instruments at Skyland Trail……………………………........8

Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale…………………………………………..........8

Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale…………………………....9

Young Mania Rating Scale………………………………………………….....10

Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale……………………………………………….11

Evidence-based Mental Health Practice for Better Health Outcomes………............13

Introduction to Evidence-based Practice……………………………….........................13

The Dissemination and Implementation of Evidence-based Mental Health Care…............16

1. Provider Attitudes and Adoption of Innovation………….................16

2. Provider Training of Evidence-based Treatments.…......................17

Outcomes Measurement…………………………………………………........19

Evidence-based Assessment…………………………………………….........19

Inter-rater Reliability for Consistency in Treatment………………….....21

Summary…………………………………………………..............................22

Chapter 3: Methodology……….……………………………......................25

Introduction……………………………………………………………………....25

Procedures……………………………………………………………...............26

Contents and Outline of Manual……………………………………………..27

Chapter 4: Discussion……………………….........................................29

Discussion……………………………...................................................29

Limitations………………………………………......................................31

Recommendations………………………………………………...................32

Training………………………………………………………………………......33

Thresholds………………………………………………………….................34

Outcomes Feedback and Evaluation………………………….................35

Conclusion……………………………………………………………………….38

References………………………………………………………………………..41 

Appendices…………………………………………………………................47

1. Counselor Questionnaire…………………………………………………..47

2. Feedback Friday: Operational Manual for Using Diagnosis-Specific Assessments to Evaluate Treatment.………….50

3. Feedback Friday: Diagnosis-Specific Assessments Training for Counselors…............71

About this Master's Thesis

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School	Rollins School of Public Health
Department	Hubert Department of Global Health
Degree	MPH
Submission	Master's Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Psychometrics Health Sciences, Public Health Psychology, Counseling
Keyword	Diagnosis-Specific Assessments Mental Health Assessment
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Kiser, Mimi, Emory University
Committee Members	Balzer, Alexandra, Skyland Trail
Partnering Agencies	Community-based non-profit organization (e.g., AID Atlanta)

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