State Mental Health Authorities and Informatics

Robert E. Drake, Gregory Teague, Ken Gersing

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

As state mental health authorities (SMHAs) attempt to promote evidence-based practices within their systems of care, they often ignore the enormous potential of information technology. Most of the tasks that Charles Rapp and colleagues have expertly identified in the preceding article can be addressed more efficiently with computerized approaches than with traditional approaches to education, implementation, training, and quality assurance. Because mental health lags behind the rest of medicine in instituting electronic medical records and related information technology, SMHAs often overlook the potential of informatics. In this article, we outline the advantages of using informatics to promote evidence-based practices, describe the current barriers to using informatics in this way, and suggest several strategies for SMHAs.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalCommunity Mental Health Journal
Volume41
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2005

Keywords

  • Public Health
  • Mental Health
  • Medical Record
  • Information Technology
  • State Mental

Disciplines

  • Health Law and Policy
  • Law
  • Medicine and Health Sciences
  • Mental and Social Health
  • Psychiatric and Mental Health

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