Implementing DSM-III in New York State mental health facilities

In 1979 the commissioner of the New York State Office of Mental Health, after consulting with a committee of professionals, decided to adopt DSM-III as the psychiatric disorder classification system for state-run facilities; locally operated facilities were also encouraged to follow the new system. This report describes the processes administrative staff underwent in implementing the system. The authors discuss the problems encountered in winning acceptance of the new system, in adapting computer programs to the new coding, in encouraging its use by sister agencies, in training staff, in rediagnosing patients, and in reporting results to Medicaid and Medicare agencies.