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MyOutcomes Urges Government Leaders to Employ Consumer-Driven Outcomes Management in Reforming Behavioral Health System

Posted on: Thursday, 28 May 2009, 07:05 CDT

White Paper Recommends Proven Solution for Improving Quality, Cutting Costs

SILVER SPRING, Md., May 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- MyOutcomes, LLC, a partnership focused on delivering consumer-driven outcomes management systems, today issued a white paper calling on the Obama Administration and the U.S. Congress to require consumer-driven outcomes management as a centerpiece in the reform of the behavioral health industry. "Consumer-Driven Outcomes Management: A New Paradigm for Quality Improvement in Behavioral Health" details how empowering consumers to take a more active role in assessing mental health care outcomes dramatically improves the quality and efficiency of services.

The authors of the white paper point to the "demonstrated potential to effect precisely the transformation of the behavioral health care system called for by its leading experts" in calling on federal policymakers and regulators to "explore legislative and regulatory avenues to promote the widespread adoption of consumer-driven outcomes management systems." According to the authors, published, peer-reviewed research has demonstrated that increased consumer involvement has had a direct impact on quality and efficiency, with the following results:

• Length of stay in psychotherapy was reduced by 59 percent.
• Cancellation rates declined by 40 percent and no-shows by 25 percent.
• Outcomes improved while average number of sessions decreased 40 percent.
• Success rates for patients at risk for negative outcomes increased in one study by 65 percent and by as much as 100 percent in others.
• Percentage of clients who completed substance abuse treatment increased from 50 percent to 82 percent in one study and from 22 percent to 70 percent in another.

In the white paper, the authors explain that previous efforts by policymakers and regulators have "pursued consumer empowerment and outcomes accountability initiatives along parallel paths rather than in tandem." The end result was accountability directives with no input from the consumer.

"MyOutcomes empowers consumers to have a meaningful impact on the quality and efficiency of the services provided and an active role in the decisionmaking regarding treatment," said Dr. Jeffrey Hoffman, Chief Executive Officer of Danya International, Inc. "Requiring mental health care programs to incorporate consumer-driven outcomes management in their practice will result in providers producing better outcomes for consumers and reducing costs. An added benefit is that more people will be afforded the opportunity to receive treatment."

"Consumer-Driven Outcomes Management: A New Paradigm for Quality Improvement in Behavioral Health" was written by Jonathan Hunt-Glassman, B.A., Project Director for MyOutcomes.com, and Drs. Barry M. Duncan, Scott D. Miller, and Jeffrey Hoffman. The white paper can be found online at:

https://www.myoutcomes.com/documents/Consumer_Driven_Outcomes_Management.pdf

Complementing the release of the white paper is the launch of a new Web site showcasing the MyOutcomes clinical tool, which is designed to improve performance in the behavioral health care industry. Using the latest technological advances, MyOutcomes -- found at www.myoutcomes.com -- enables consumers to provide real-time feedback to mental health and substance abuse professionals using two 4-item visual analogue scales that are easy to complete in less than 2 minutes.

MyOutcomes originates from the Partners for Change Outcome Management System developed by Drs. Barry Duncan and Scott Miller and perfected in partnership with Danya. An innovative Web-based clinical tool focused on monitoring and improving health, MyOutcomes in now available to Federal agencies on the GSA Schedule #GS-35F-0260T.

About MyOutcomes, LLC

MyOutcomes, LLC is a Maryland limited liability corporation. A Web-based product, MyOutcomes is provided as an on-demand service delivered over the Internet using a software-as-a-service model. MyOutcomes is compliant with the privacy and security regulations of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996. MyOutcomes is a partnership between the developers of the Partners for Change Outcome Management system, Drs. Barry Duncan and Scott Miller, and Danya.

About Danya International, Inc.

Danya's mission is to have an impact on global public health and education through development and implementation of innovative health communications, research, and technology programs. The company provides breakthrough solutions in the areas of public health communication, research and evaluation, information technology, education and training, and program management support. Danya is based in Silver Spring, Maryland, with offices in Atlanta, Georgia. To learn more about the company, visit www.danya.com.

SOURCE Danya International; MyOutcomes, LLC

Source: PR Newswire

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