Quality of care in mental health: The case of schizophrenia

Scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of a range of treatments for pe rsons with schizophrenia set the stage for the recent development of eviden ce-based quality-of-care indicators for this disorder. On the heels of thes e quality indicators, research has found that treatment services for many p ersons with schizophrenia are inadequate. Because most of these patients re ceive their care under public auspices (Medicaid, Medicare, and Veterans Af fairs), public health policy can exert considerable influence to address th ese quality-of-care problems. Publicly funded managed care could promote ev idence-based care. It also could coordinate specialty and primary care to i mprove early detection and general medical care for persons with schizophre nia.