Lessons from the front: implementing outcomes projects.

Abstract

These issues are representative of the challenges facing those wishing to implement outcomes evaluations in the dramatically different settings of today's behavioral healthcare. To maintain acceptable levels of credibility, difficult issues such as these need to be addressed openly and assertively. We remain optimistic about the value of measuring the effects of behavioral healthcare interventions. Such measurement facilitates the development of communication across service providers and creates accountability where once there was none. When standards of quality research are applied, outcomes management offers great potential benefit to consumers, providers, and behavioral healthcare organizations.