Financial efficacy of clinical assessment: Rational guidelines and issues for future research

Whereas the financial efficacy of assessment has been well documented in in dustrial/organizational settings. there is no comparable literature within the field of clinical assessment. This has become a significant issue due t o the increasing cost-consciousness of managed health care organizations. A rational means of increasing the financial efficacy of assessment is outli ned. which includes the following. (a) focus on domains most relevant to tr eatment planning and outcome; (b) use formal assessment for risk management : (c) target problems most likely to result in cost savings (i.e.. dissocia tion, somatization, panic): (d) increase the use of computer assisted asses sment: (e) use time-efficient instruments: (f) more closely link assessment , feedback. and therapy: and (g) integrate treatment planning, monitoring p rogress, and evaluating outcome. Issues and strategies for developing a res earch program include clearly defining what should be considered a cost, en umerating possible outcome variables, optimal follow-up lime frame, selecti on of instruments, and the function of assessment. (C) 1999 John Wiley & So ns. Inc.