The feasibility of standardized patient assessments as a best practice in an academic training program.

The use of standardized patient assessments (SPAs) in psychiatry is an emerging best practice. This column describes a survey of resident and faculty supervisors at a large academic department examining current practices, attitudes, and perceived barriers to incorporating SPAs into clinical practice. Although the study found that SPAs were not routinely used in clinical practice or supervision, residents and faculty were fairly optimistic about their potential value.

Measurement-based care in psychiatric practice: a policy framework for implementation.

This article describes the need for measurement-based care (MBC) in psychiatric practice and defines a policy framework for implementation. Although measurement in psychiatric treatment is not new, it is not standard clinical practice. Thus a gap exists between research and practice outcomes.