Is it me or is time speeding up?  We’re already 40 days into the New Year. Seems like only yesterday, I was planning for the Holidays: meals, get-togethers and, of course, gifts.

Gifts.  Since the turn of the century, researchers tell us our tastes have changed.  Forget toys, aftershave, lingerie, or perfume.  Men and women, young and old, we all want the latest gadget.

What might account for this change?  Surveys tell us it’s about “staying in touch.”  We are busier than ever.  The latest technology extends our reach, keeping us connected to opportunities, resources and, most importantly, people.

For behavioral health professionals, the challenge of “staying in touch” extends to the clinical realm.  Rising caseloads, briefer treatments episodes, and increasingly complex problems combine to test the limits of even the most dedicated professional.

What can help?  Over twenty randomized clinical trials document that Feedback-Informed Treatment (FIT) keeps therapists connected with the people they serve, doubling effectiveness while simultaneously decreasing the risk of deterioration and drop out.  The process involves routinely soliciting feedback from consumers about their experience of and progress in treatment.

Luckily, technology makes FIT efficient and effective.  Multiple systems exist for automating the collection, sorting, and interpretation of feedback.  I’ll be reviewing the growing number of choices available in my next few blogposts, starting today with one web-based and one electronic health record system.

Pragmatic Tracker is an inexpensive, intuitive, web-based system.  Users can select from a variety of feedback tools–including my own Outcome and Session Ratings Scales.   One really innovative feature is the ability to connect with and seek feedback via automated emails.  In the interview below, developer Bill Andrews, describes the service and it’s many features in detail.

(The complete interview can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BnUEhEtT8w)

Late last year, Athena integrated the ORS, SRS, and Performance Metrics algorithms into their popular electronic health record, Penelope. The system is cutting edge and comes with Athena’s world-wide, standard-setting customer service.  The video below gives a detailed overview:

To learn more, click here.

OK, that’s it for now.  I’ll return shortly with detailed information about other technological solutions for staying in touch with your clients.

Until then, best wishes,

Scott

Scott D. Miller, Ph.D.
Director, International Center for Clinical Excellence