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Using Care Managers and Technology to Improve the Care of Patients with Schizophrenia

Funding Source

Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation

Project Period

7/1/12 - 9/30/15

Principal Investigator

John Kane, MD; Mary Brunette, MD

Other Project Staff

Dror Ben-Zeev (Co-I); Susan Kaiser, MPH; Christopher Brenner, MPH

Project Summary

This project will develop a workforce that is capable of delivering effective treatments, using newly available technologies, to at-risk, high-cost patients with schizophrenia. The intervention will test the use of care managers, physicians, and nurse practitioners trained to use new technology as part of the treatment regime for patients recently discharged from the hospital at community treatment centers in nine states. These trained providers will educate patients and their caregivers about pharmacologic management, cognitive behavior therapy, and web-based/home-based monitoring tools for their conditions. This intervention is expected to improve patients’ quality of life and lower cost by reducing hospitalizations.

Public Health Relevance

The comprehensive program intends to  transform the practice of psychiatry by utilizing 21st century technology to make therapeutic principles with long demonstrated effectiveness in face-to-face interaction widely available at greater dose-intensity and far lower cost.