QUALITY INDICATORS FOR PRIMARY MENTAL-HEALTH WITHIN MANAGED CARE - A PUBLIC-HEALTH FOCUS

Primary mental health is an orientation to care that addresses mental health needs of consumers on point of first contact with caregivers. C ore values, and principles drawn from a public health perspective serv e as the foundation for indicators of quality within managed primary m ental health. A model, illustrating the key components for quality ind icators, includes stakeholder groups (consumers, families, providers, and payers), quality concerns (access, appropriateness, outcomes, and prevention), and the spectrum of clinical processes (assessment, treat ment, rehabilitation, and support). Responsibility for monitoring qual ity is vested in these stakeholder groups. To enable them to fulfill t heir responsibilities, indicators are proposed in the form of checklis ts. The checklists assist stakeholders in evaluating the plans and ser vices offered by managed care entities.