This outstanding book provides a comprehensive framework for the use of quality indicators within the context of quality improvement initiatives in real practice. Dr. Hermann provides for the field a comprehensive set of measures in use in practice, as well as research studies, during an active period of development of the quality of care and quality improvement field. The book integrates a thorough understanding of the practical uses of quality measurement with an understanding of the market context for their use, and standards for acceptable measures that can span practice and research. The book is the most comprehensive book available on quality measurement, from a practical perspective, in the field.—Ken Wells, M.D., M.P.H., Professor, David Geffen School of Medicine and UCLA School of Public Health; Senior Scientist of the Semel Institute and RAND

At last mental healthcare gets serious attention in the quest for higher quality of care! Improving Mental Healthcare: A Guide to Measurement-Based Quality Improvement by Richard Hermann is packed with valuable information. Readers whose primary focus is not on mental health will learn much in general about quality measurement and improvement in healthcare. The opening chapters sweep from details of methodology to broad principles and strategies for quality improvement. The later chapters capture precise details of an inventory of quality measures for mental healthcare. Together with writing that flows so smoothly throughout, I cannot think of a better introduction to quality in healthcare. A feast indeed!—R. Heather Palmer, M.B.B.Ch., S.M., Professor of Health Policy and Management, Director of the Center for Quality of Care Research and Education, Harvard School of Public Health

Author Richard Hermann has put together an amazingly complete compilation of well referenced methods and instruments for measuring quality of care in psychiatry, mental health, and substance abuse. This work creates neat order out of what had been a chaotic jumble. This book provides solid ammunition for these related fields to defend their worth against both a needy but unconvinced and disbelieving public, and the bean counters simultaneously. A magnificent and exhaustive, definitive and detailed organized tabulation of ways to measure the quality of care in mental health, whether or not it works, is improving or not, and how you can tell.—George D. Lundberg, M.D., Editor in Chief, Medscape General Medicine

This guidebook fills a gap in the professional literature for those of us who design behavioral health delivery systems and measure progress. While the scope is encyclopedic in conveying the history and processes of measurement available, the content is well organized so that the reader can go easily and directly to the area of interest. I know that we will be regularly thumbing through Dr. Hermann's book for guidance and information as we continue to chart our future course.—Michael P. Quirk, Ph.D., M.S., Director Behavioral Health Service, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Seattle, Washington

Improving the quality of care for persons with mental disorders challenges all of us, whether we are involved in the delivery of care or are one of the millions who receive or have loved ones who receive mental health care. Once the commitment has been made to focus on quality, the immediate challenge is, how? For those who have made this commitment, Improving Mental Healthcare offers a wealth of tools on how to assess quality, the first step in quality improvement.—Anthony F. Lehman, M.D., M.S.P.H., Professor and Chair, Department of Psychiatry, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland