A survey of mental health care provider's and managed care organization attitudes toward, familiarity with, and use of group interventions

Managed Care has had a significant impact on delivery systems for mental health services. Direct and indirect persuasion to provide more cost-effective treatments has been one consequence. The cost-saving qualities and the effectiveness of group interventions have produced clear expectations for an increased use of therapy groups. This study compared perceptions and uses of group treatments on a national sample of managed care organizations and mental health providers. Because group psychotherapy encompasses such a broad definition, five specific types of group interventions were defined: problem-focused homogenous, process-oriented heterogeneous, psycho-educational, self-help, and short-term groups. Implications of differences and similarities between directors of managed care organizations and treatment providers are examined and discussed across five response categories (familiarity/training, perceived effectiveness, likelihood of reimbursement/referral, daily use, and expectation for future use).