Mental health care from the public perspective: The Texas Medication Algorithm Project

Medication treatment algorithms have been suggested as a strategy to provid e uniform care at predictable costs. The Texas Medication Algorithm Project is a 3-phase study designed to provide solid data on the usefulness of med ication algorithms, In phase II medication algorithms for the treatment of schizophrenia, major depressive disorder, and bipolar disorder were develop ed. Phase 2 was a feasibility study of these algorithms, and phase 3, now u nderway: compares the costs and outcome in 3 groups, one using a combinatio n of an algorithm and patient/family education, a second using treatment as usual in a clinic that uses an algorithm for a different disorder, and a t hird using treatment as usual in a nonalgorithm clinic.