EVALUATION IN PRIVATE-PRACTICE

Given the growing pressure far therapist accountability and validation of effectiveness of individual therapists, groups of therapists, and treatment packages, individual practitioners or groups that develop da tabase management systems to measure their effectiveness are likely to hold a competitive edge over those that do not. The concurrent monito ring of treatment integrity and the documentation of professional serv ices rendered has potential for improving quality of care. Diagnosis, treatment plan preparation, treatment setting, agent of change, goals, interventions, duration of treatment, criteria for termination, compl iance with the treatment plan, outcome of treatment, quality of record s, satisfaction of patients, satisfaction of referring professionals, absence of ethical complaints or litigation,and time consumed in admin istrating a private practice are important targets of evaluation. The present article presents a model for routine evaluation.