The integration of measurement and management for the treatment of bipolar disorder: a STEP-BD model of collaborative care in psychiatry

J Clin Psychiatry. 2006:67 Suppl 11:3-7.

Abstract

Patients with bipolar disorder are among the most challenging to treat. These patients frequently present with complex mood and other symptoms that change over time, complex psychiatric and medical comorbid conditions, and multiple medications. Clinicians rarely systematically assess or measure all of these factors and instead rely on memory and general impressions. It is imperative that clinicians systematically track and monitor these relevant variables to ensure treatment decisions are based on precise clinical data. By integrating measurement and management, clinicians and patients can collaborate to assess the effectiveness of treatments and to make joint decisions about critical points at which to adjust treatment. This method was shown to be successful in the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) Systematic Treatment Enhancement Program for Bipolar Disorder (STEP-BD).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bipolar Disorder / diagnosis*
  • Bipolar Disorder / drug therapy*
  • Bipolar Disorder / psychology
  • Clinical Protocols
  • Comorbidity
  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Data Collection
  • Humans
  • Internet
  • National Institute of Mental Health (U.S.)
  • Patient Care Management / methods*
  • Physician-Patient Relations
  • Program Evaluation
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Psychometrics
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / methods
  • Research Design
  • Treatment Outcome
  • United States