How psychology can improve effectiveness and reduce costs of health services.

Abstract

This manuscript assembles research literature showing how psychologists working in health settings can improve the effectiveness of modern health care while reducing its costs. Research suggests that psychological treatments can often a) prevent physical illness by altering health-risky behaviors, b) facilitate medical treatments of illnesses already developed, and c) for certain health problems, provide treatments that are less costly and less dangerous than traditional medical procedures.

Assessing the Costs, Benefits, Cost-Effectiveness, and Cost-Benefit of Psychological Assessment: We Should, We Can, and Here's How.

“…Of all the monetary benefits of assessment, the potential costsavings benefits of assessments seem to be the most substantial, especially in terms of reduced medical expenses for clients. Certainly, a variety of psychological interventions can reduce health problems and concomitant use of health services (e.g., Kaplan, 2000;Kaplan, Ries, Prewitt, & Eakin, 1994;Yates, 1984), and CEA and CBA have been applied to these interventions (cf. Kaplan & Groessl, 2002;Weinstein & Stason, 1977;Yates, 1980b).…”

Professional psychologists in general health care settings: A review of the financial efficacy of direct treatment interventions.

“…This article is intended solely for the personal use of the individual user and is not to be disseminated broadly. Eckert, 1994;Newman & Sorenson, 1985;VandenBos, 1993;Yates, 1984Yates, , 1985Yates, ,1994. Second, routine treatment effectiveness studies should be encouraged to provide more definitive information on the relative cost-effectiveness of interventions.…”

The use of psychotherapy to improve physical health.

“…Once the fact that psychological interventions are effective (and cost-efficient) (Yates, 1984) in addressing a range of physical health care policies is accepted, the question becomes one of how we, as psychologists, can best utilize this information to effect change in the fundamental structure and organization of health care so as to enhance awareness and recognition of psychology, benefit the public, and create new opportunities for the application of psychological knowledge. Clearly, at a minimum, this means that psychologists will have to talk to people other than psychologists.…”

“…Psychotherapy is useful for patients with physical disorders as well as those with mental problems. Even with many supposedly biologically based physical health disorders, psychotherapy works-and it is cost-effective (Yates, 1984). In…”