Here is a snapshot of the key points that came out of our review. We will be happy to dicsuss this review in full detail either by phone or in person. Key review findings:
- The average "session count" for a treatment episode (regardless of diagnosis) for the
past three years is 10. - Nearly 40 percent of people drop out of treatment prior to the third session.
- Of those going beyond three sessions, nearly 80 percent end prior to the 14th session.
- An inconsistency exists in how major depression and other "biologically based" diagnoses are treated relative to the use of medication, and this seems to impact length of care.
- There are very few clients, i.e., below SAMHSA studies, where documentation of co-occurring disorders is present.
- The length of treatment seemed to have less to do with the primary diagnosis, and more to do with factors such as the:
1. baseline level of functioning a client had entering care
2. precipitous nature of the decline in functioning
3. supports available to the client
4. relationship of the provider and client
5. clarity of the goals established between the provider and client.
Treatment planning should happen as part of the regular conversation between the provider and the member. The most important question a provider should ask the member is "Is the work we are doing helping you?" Using the immediate feedback from members makes the treatment more dynamic. Members should settle for nothing less.
