| Abstract: | The current interest in and call for use of outcome evaluation data are not new in the mental health field. This paper identifies barriers that have served to temper the outcome evaluation movement in the past. Barriers identified and discussed include economic, technical, scientific, and organizational issues. For the consultant assisting mental health organizations establish outcome evaluation processes, several aspects to consider in developing a productive consulting relationship are offered. These include entry and movement in the mental health system; qualities of the mental health consultant most likely to be congruent with the values of mental health administrators; roles the consultant might play; and potential targets for the consultant's interventions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
