Reviewing professional practice: Implications for the mental health consumer
Abstract
Discusses ways in which professional practice review (PR) may affect the consumer of mental health services. Cost containment and quality control are the major purposes of PR. PR appears to more effectively control utilization of services than cost per unit. PR may increase quality of service by establishing a better data base for evaluating treatment and outcome. Although PR may decrease costs and increase quality, it may also infringe on the privacy of the clients and narrow their freedom in choosing a provider. It is concluded that consumers need to be involved to make sure that PR addresses issues of importance to them, such as humaneness of treatment and control of poorly prepared providers. (27 ref)