An analysis of outpatient psychotherapy: quality improvement indicators

Two studies investigated relationships among quality improvement indicators in a large outpatient mental health delivery system. Results showed patient satisfaction with treatment, good agreement between treatment outcome ratings by patients and therapists, modest agreement between patient satisfaction and problem resolution ratings, and a significant relationship between peer reviewer ratings of therapists and client satisfaction ratings. Although reflecting significant improvement, GAF ratings were not related to clients' or therapists' ratings of problem resolution. Overall, the studies support the use of these ratings in quality improvement programs and suggest directions for further research.