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Updated: May 22, 2026

Using Visual and Narrative Methods to Achieve Fair Process in Clinical Care
Published on: February 16, 2011
Best practices: New York's outpatient mental health clinic licensing reform: using tracer methodology to improve
Jennifer P Wisdom1, Susan Knapik, Michael W Holley
1Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University, and New York State Psychiatric Institute, 1051 Riverside Dr, Box 100, New York, NY 10032, USA. jpw2129@columbia.edu
Abstract:
This column describes how the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) redesigned licensing procedures for outpatient clinics by applying a person-centered focus and clinically relevant standards of care. OMH incorporated a tracer methodology to assess services; a licensing instrument that reflected OMH goals; and a systematic piloting, feedback, and implementation process. Clinic staff reported that the new procedures facilitated communication between OMH and clinics, accurately identified clinics' successes, and provided actionable and programmatic feedback. This initiative represents the first step by a state mental health authority to create a system of accountability that is clinically relevant and supported by stakeholders.
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