There is considerable variation in the implementation and uptake of evidence-based practices in usual care clinics. Many patients do not receive evidence-based care, and this is especially true for the population with serious mental illness. This presentation discusses dimensions of quality health care and explains evidence-based quality improvement methods and tools used to close quality gaps in care. A recent large-scale study using evidence-based quality improvement methods and tools to improve employment outcomes for those with serious mental illness is described. Areas in need to quality improvement in the care of those with serious mental illness are discussed with a focus on usual care clinics.

Learning Objectives

• List the Institute of Medicine’s dimensions of quality health care
• Explain evidence-based quality improvement
• Name and describe three tools for evidence-based quality improvement data analysis and interpretation

Target Audience

Counselor, Nurse/Nurse Practitioner, Pharmacist, Psychiatrist, Other Physician, Physician Assistant, Psychologist

Instructional Level

Intermediate

Estimated Time to Complete

Estimated Duration: 1.0 hours 
Program Start Date: March 28, 2019
Program End Date: March 28, 2022

How to Earn Credit

Participants who wish to earn AMA PRA Category 1 Credit ™ or a certificate of participation may do so by completing all sections of the course, including the evaluation. A multiple choice quiz is provided based on the content. A passing score of 75% must be achieved. Retakes are available for the test. After evaluating the program, course participants will be provided with an opportunity to claim hours of participation and print an official CME certificate (physicians) or certificate of participation (non-physicians) showing the completion date and hours earned. 

Continuing Education Credit

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The APA designates this enduring CME event for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures

Presenters/Planners

• Alison Hamilton, PhD, MPH, VA Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation; UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 
• Amy N. Cohen, PhD, UCLA Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests.

Planner

• John Torous, MD, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Torous has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 
• Teri Brister, PhD, LPC, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Dr. Brister has no relevant financial relationships to disclose. 

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance.

Technical Requirements

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following:

• The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari
• Internet Explorer 11+

This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Flash, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player.

Optimal System Configuration:

• Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version)
• Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher

Minimum Requirements:

• Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content
• Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity | Contact SMIAdviserHelp@psych.org for technical assistance